Movies in North Texas theaters on March 8 and coming soon

NEW THIS WEEK

Opening dates are subject to change.

ACCIDENTAL TEXAN A young actor (Rudy Pankow) finds himself stranded in Texas, where he’s taken under the wing of a struggling oil driller (Thomas Haden Church). Also starring Carrie-Anne Moss. PG-13 (for strong language and brief violence). 104 mins. In wide release.

(B) AMERICAN DREAMER A frustrated economics professor (Peter Dinklage) strikes a deal with a lonely widow (Shirley MacLaine) to try to achieve his dream of owning a lavish home. But he soon realizes the deal is too good to be true in this acerbic black comedy that feels like a throwback to the more cinematically daring 1970s. As housemates, Dinklage and MacLaine make an appealing odd couple. Also starring Matt Dillon, Kimberly Quinn, Danny Glover and Danny Pudi. Not rated. 106 mins. At the Angelika Plano.

(B) CABRINI After witnessing disease and poverty in the slums of 1889 New York, Italian immigrant Francesca Cabrini (Cristiana Dell’Anna) sets out to persuade the city’s hostile mayor to provide housing and health care for orphaned children. The film feels overlong and suffers from repetition and an over-reliance on melodramatic plot devices. But it nonetheless delivers a compelling portrait of a little-known heroine. PG-13 (for thematic material, some violence, language and smoking). 145 mins. In wide release.

CALL ME DANCER This documentary chronicles the struggles and triumphs of Manish Chauhan, who rose from being a street dancer in Mumbai to achieve growing acclaim on the world stage. In English and Hindi, with subtitles. Not rated. 84 mins. At Galaxy Theatres Grandscape in The Colony.

(B+) FOUR DAUGHTERS This gripping film examines the story of Olfa Hamrouni, a Tunisian woman whose two oldest daughters disappeared after being radicalized by Islamic State extremists. With two actors cast as the oldest daughters, it’s part documentary and part metafictional experiment, a mix of art and therapy that unfolds almost entirely in a series of rooms. In Arabic, French and English, with subtitles. Not rated. 107 mins. At the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

IMAGINARY In this horror flick from Blumhouse, a woman (DeWanda Wise) moves back into her childhood home and finds that Chauncey, the stuffed bear she left behind, is angry over being abandoned. PG-13 (for some violent content, drug material and language). 104 mins. In wide release.

(B) KUNG FU PANDA 4 In this predictable but pleasant animated comedy sequel, Po (voiced by Jack Black) becomes the spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace and must train a new Dragon Warrior. The humor in this edition doesn’t seem as broad as usual, with the mostly low-key laughs coming from amusing visual gags. Also featuring the voices of Viola Davis, Awkwafina, Dustin Hoffman and Bryan Cranston. PG (for martial arts action/mild violence, scary images and some mild rude humor). 94 mins. In wide release.

NIGHT SHIFT In this horror thriller, a young woman (Phoebe Tonkin) working her first night shift at a remote hotel begins to suspect that the property is haunted. Not rated. 82 mins. At Studio Movie Grill Spring Valley.

THE PIPER In this supernatural horror flick, a composer (Charlotte Hope) is tasked with finishing her late mentor’s concerto. But she soon learns that playing the music summons an evil force. Also starring Julian Sands. R (for bloody violent content and language). 95 mins. At Galaxy Theatres Grandscape in The Colony.

COMING NEXT WEEK

THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MAGICAL NEGROES In this satirical comedy, a young man (Justice Smith) is recruited into a secret society of magical Black people who are dedicated to making white people’s lives easier. Also starring David Alan Grier, An-Li Bogan, Drew Tarver, Michaela Watkins, Aisha Hinds, Tim Baltz, Rupert Friend and Nicole Byer.

ARTHUR THE KING An adventure athlete (Mark Wahlberg) adopts a stray dog to accompany him on a 435-mile endurance race. Also starring Simu Liu, Nathalie Emmanuel and Ali Suliman.

KNOX GOES AWAY After being diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and facing a fast-moving form of dementia, a contract killer (director Michael Keaton) gets the chance to redeem himself by saving the life of his estranged son (James Marsden). Also starring Al Pacino and Joanna Kulig.

LOVE LIES BLEEDING Gym manager Lou (Kristen Stewart) falls for bodybuilder Jackie (Katy O’Brian), who is passing through town on her way to chase her dreams in Las Vegas. But their love leads to violence and entanglement with Lou’s criminal family members. Also starring Ed Harris, Dave Franco and Jena Malone.

ONE LIFE This biographical drama tells the story of Nicholas “Nicky” Winton (played by Johnny Flynn in his younger days and Anthony Hopkins many years later), a London broker who rescued hundreds of children from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia. Decades later, he’s reintroduced to some of those he helped on the BBC show That’s Life!, taking him from anonymity to a national hero.

PASTOR’S KID In this faith-based drama, a college student (Courtney Bandeko) seeks to distance herself from a painful past, but an unforeseen circumstance compels her to reconnect with her estranged mother and find forgiveness.

PROBLEMISTA An aspiring toy designer (Julio Torres) from El Salvador struggles to bring his unusual ideas to life in New York City. With time on his work visa running out, he teams up with an art world outcast (Tilda Swinton) who might offer his only hope to stay in the country and realize his dreams.

THEY SHOT THE PIANO PLAYER In this animated drama, a New York journalist sets out to uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of Francisco Tenório Júnior, a young Brazilian samba-jazz pianist who disappeared in Buenos Aires in 1976.

SNACK SHACK In this comedy set in 1991, two best friends (Conor Sherry and Gabriel LaBelle) get a chance to run the snack shack at a local swimming pool. Also starring Mika Abdalla.

THE THROWBACK After a holiday season breakdown, a stressed-out mom (Justina Machado) turns into the party girl of her college days. Also starring Will Sasso, Gregg Sulkin, Michelle Randolph and Bobby Lee.

UPROAR In this comedy-drama set in 1981, a 17-year-old New Zealand student (Julian Dennison) decides to take a stand as the arrival of the South African rugby team sets off nationwide protests against apartheid and racism. Also starring Rhys Darby and Minnie Driver.

CURRENT RELEASES

(B+) AMERICAN FICTION Fed up with the establishment profiting from “Black” entertainment that relies on clichés and offensive tropes, a novelist (Jeffrey Wright) uses a pen name to release an outlandish book of his own in this immensely watchable satire. Smart and funny, the film relies on its sharp script and charismatic actors to carry the audience through. Wright is particularly delightful at the center of it all. R (for language throughout, some drug use, sexual references and brief violence). 117 mins.

(A-) ANATOMY OF A FALL In this thriller set in a remote town in the French Alps, a woman (Sandra Hüller) is suspected of murder when her husband (Samuel Theis) is found dead in the snow below their chalet. The investigation and ensuing courtroom battle lay bare the couple’s own plummet into disharmony and revisit past events that involve their son Daniel, who is blind, and even the family dog. An emotional puzzle that will keep you guessing, the movie from director Justine Triet won the top prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. R (for some language, sexual references and violent images). 150 mins.

AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM As he works to plan his wedding, Aquaman (Jason Momoa) forms an unlikely alliance with his half-brother Orm (Patrick Wilson) while contending with the threat of Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II). Also starring Nicole Kidman. PG-13 (for sci-fi violence and some language). 124 mins.

(B-) ARGYLLE In this garishly over-the-top action-comedy thriller from director Matthew Vaughn (Kingsman franchise), introverted author Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard) learns that the plots of her spy novels mirror the actions of a real-life spy organization. When an undercover spy (Sam Rockwell) shows up to save her from being kidnapped or killed, Elly and her cat are plunged into a world of international intrigue. Vaughn delights in letting audiences think they know where things are going only to blindside them with a fresh twist every few minutes. Also starring Henry Cavill, Bryan Cranston, Dua Lipa, Ariana DeBose, John Cena and Samuel L. Jackson. PG-13 (for strong violence and action and some strong language). 139 mins.

(A) BARBIE Barbie (Margot Robbie) and Ken (Ryan Gosling) are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans. Director Greta Gerwig cleaves through culture with gleeful spirit and savage humor in this existential exegesis on what it means to be a woman, and a human, reflecting our world back to us through the lens of Barbie. In doing so, she delivers a barbed statement wrapped in a visually sumptuous and sublimely silly cinematic confection. PG-13 (for suggestive references and brief language). 114 mins.

(B-) THE BEEKEEPER Jason Statham stars in this action thriller about a former operative of a clandestine organization who sets out to exact revenge over a friend’s death. It’s a bloody, profoundly silly and self-aware John Wick knockoff, but without the poetry and soulfulness of those films. Still, as dumb action movies go, it’s wildly entertaining. Also starring Emmy Raver-Lampman, Josh Hutcherson, Bobby Naderi, Minnie Driver, Phylicia Rashad and Jeremy Irons. R (for strong violence throughout, pervasive language, some sexual references and drug use). 105 mins.

(C) BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE Kingsley Ben-Adir stars in this biographical drama about the reggae music icon. Ben-Adir lacks the physical dynamism and charismatic velocity of Marley, and the film too often feels like it’s going through the motions rather than striving for transcendence. PG-13 (for marijuana use and smoking throughout, some violence and brief strong language). 107 mins.

DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA — TO THE HASHIRA TRAINING In the latest installment of the popular Japanese anime series, Tanjiro trains to take on a demon, and the Hashira prepare for a final battle. R (for violence and bloody images). 104 mins.

(C) DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS Director Ethan Coen’s unabashedly queer caper follows two friends (Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan) who set out on an impromptu road trip to Tallahassee, Fla., in a rental vehicle with a secret stash in the trunk that sparks a chase across state lines. The film is often crude in a way that’s cringe-worthy, but it’s stacked with jokes and moves at a brisk pace. It’s trashy fun, but it’s also exceedingly disposable. Also starring Beanie Feldstein, Joey Slotnick, Pedro Pascal and Colman Domingo. R (for crude sexual content, full nudity, language and some violent content). 84 mins.

(A) DUNE: PART TWO Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) takes up with Chani (Zendaya) and the Fremen in this spectacular feat of sci-fi filmmaking that marries immersive world-building with engrossing storytelling. Austin Butler is captivating as Paul’s dark counterpart, the murderous Feyd-Rautha, delivering a nearly reptilian performance. Also starring Javier Bardem, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Florence Pugh, Stellan Skarsgard, Dave Bautista and Christopher Walken. PG-13 (for sequences of strong violence, some suggestive material and brief strong language). 166 mins.

(A) THE HOLDOVERS Alexander Payne’s misfit holiday movie, set in 1970, centers on a trio of stragglers who form an unlikely bond over Christmas break at a Massachusetts boarding school. Teacher Mr. Hunham (Paul Giamatti), student Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa) and cafeteria manager Mary (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) embark on a surprising emotional journey, but this isn’t just a story of found family that stays together — it’s a snapshot of a moment in time. The Holdovers is an instant addition to the holiday movie canon. R (for language, some drug use and brief sexual material). 133 mins.

(B+) THE IRON CLAW This gritty sports drama tells the real-life story of the Von Erich brothers, who started their pro wrestling careers in North Texas and made a name for themselves in the early 1980s. Writer-director Sean Durkin crafts a heartfelt story about a family struggling to uphold its legacy amid unspeakable tragedies, and the wrestling scenes and re-creation of Dallas’ Sportatorium venue are well-done. Starring Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney, Stanley Simons and Holt McCallany. R (for language, suicide, some sexuality and drug use). 132 mins.

(A) KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON Martin Scorsese’s latest is an adaptation of the popular 2017 nonfiction book by David Grann, which details a series of murders of Osage people in 1920s Oklahoma over oil rights. It’s a massively important film from the auteur, in which he uses the tropes and iconography of the Western — a genre that trafficked heavily in harmful Native American stereotypes — to tell the story of the heinous crimes known as the Reign of Terror. The epic tale centers on the deeply intimate violence that rocks one town, one tribe and one family. Deeply moving, at once sobering and enraging, it is a true masterpiece. Starring Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, Dallas-born Jesse Plemons and Barry Corbin of Fort Worth. R (for violence, some grisly images, and language). 206 mins.

(D) MADAME WEB In the latest Marvel superhero tale, Dakota Johnson stars as a Manhattan paramedic who develops the power to see the future. It’s an airless and stilted endeavor driven by a mechanical screenplay, with a lack of imagination that would be astounding if it wasn’t so expected. Also starring Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O’Connor and Isabela Merced. PG-13 (for violence/action and language). 116 mins.

(B-) MEAN GIRLS This musical comedy from writer Tina Fey puts a new twist on the 2004 comedy classic about a new student (Angourie Rice) who runs afoul of her new friends in a clique known as the Plastics by falling for the ex-boyfriend (Christopher Briney) of conniving queen bee Regina George (Reneé Rapp). PG-13 (for sexual material, strong language and teen drinking). 112 mins.

(B-) MIGRATION In this animated adventure comedy, ducklings try to persuade their overprotective father to take them to Jamaica on the vacation of a lifetime. Migration is vividly animated, with warm cartoon tones that would do Daffy proud. But it never quite spreads its wings. Stories of overly cautious moms or dads turned adventurers are not exactly fresh material, even if it is atypical that a helicopter parent can actually fly. Featuring the voices of Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key, David Mitchell, Carol Kane, Caspar Jennings, Tresi Gazal and Danny DeVito. PG (for action/peril and mild rude humor). 92 mins.

NIGHT SWIM In this horror thriller, a family moves into a new home whose swimming pool holds a dark secret. Starring Wyatt Russell, Kerry Condon, Amélie Hoeferle and Gavin Warren. PG-13 (for terror, some violent content and language). 98 mins.

(B-) OPPENHEIMER Cillian Murphy leads a stacked cast — including Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Casey Affleck, Gary Oldman and Kenneth Branagh — in this study of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist behind the atomic bomb. Director Christopher Nolan dominates viewers with a visual and sonic riptide, bringing a jagged, dissonant sensibility to a film that focuses less on facts and more on feeling as it thrusts the audience into the advent and fallout of the nuclear arms race. R (for some sexuality, nudity and language). 180 mins.

(B) ORDINARY ANGELS A Kentucky hairdresser (Hilary Swank) rallies the community to help a widowed father (Alan Ritchson) save the life of his critically ill young daughter in this faith-based film that’s inspired by a true story. What lifts the picture beyond average inspirational fluff is the way director Jon Gunn and company control the slow release of its sweetness so as not to overpower. Even cynics will be won over by the human kindness on display. Also starring Skywalker Hughes, Nancy Travis and Amy Acker. PG (for thematic content, brief bloody images and smoking). 116 mins.

(A) PAST LIVES Two childhood sweethearts (Greta Lee and Teo Yoo) from South Korea reconnect in New York in this romantic drama centering on a love triangle. The narrative tension pivots on whether Nora (Lee) will stay with Arthur (John Magaro) or return to her roots with somber, socially awkward Hae Sung (Yoo). Celine Song makes a quietly spectacular writing-directing debut, delivering a lyrical slow burn of a film that expertly holds back wellsprings of emotion, until it unleashes a deluge. In English and Korean with subtitles. PG-13 (for some strong language). 106 mins.

(B-) THE PEASANTS A young woman (Kamila Urzedowska) is determined to forge her own path in her late 19th-century Polish village in this animated film that involved the hand-painting of live-action frames to produce the feeling of oil paintings come to life. It’s a film that impresses in its painstaking, years-long construction without really supplying a reason (beyond prettiness) for such a laborious aesthetic. In Polish and Latin, with subtitles. R (for violence including rape, sexuality and full nudity). 114 mins.

(A) PERFECT DAYS A janitor (Kôji Yakusho) finds contentment in Tokyo in this gently sublime Japanese film about finding beauty in the world around us. The main character says little throughout the course of this quiet drama, and little happens. Yet Yakusho’s warm presence speaks volumes. In Japanese and English, with subtitles. PG (for some language, partial nudity and smoking). 123 mins.

(A) POOR THINGS After being brought back to life by an unorthodox scientist (Willem Dafoe), a young woman (Emma Stone) runs off with a debauched lawyer (Mark Ruffalo) in an odyssey of self-discovery and sexual liberation. Stone delivers an astonishing performance and is perhaps the only actress who could convincingly convey such simultaneous expressions of sincerity, absurdity, intelligence, libidinousness and humor in director Yorgos Lanthimos’ strange masterpiece. R (for strong and pervasive sexual content, graphic nudity, disturbing material, gore and language). 141 mins.

STOPMOTION In this horror flick, a stop-motion animator (Aisling Franciosi ) becomes consumed by the world of her nightmarish creations — with deadly results. R (for violent/disturbing content, gore, some language, sexual material and brief drug material). 93 mins.

(B) TROLLS BAND TOGETHER In this fun and trippy animated sequel, Poppy (Anna Kendrick) discovers that Branch (Justin Timberlake) has a secret past: He was once in a boy band with his brothers. When one of the brothers is kidnapped, they go into hero mode. Filled with one-liners and aphorisms, the movie embraces its own silliness. Also featuring the voices of Camila Cabello, Eric André, Amy Schumer and Andrew Rannells. PG (for some mild rude and suggestive humor). 92 mins.

(B) WONKA Timothée Chalamet stars in this origin story of Willy Wonka, the eccentric chocolatier at the center of Roald Dahl’s iconic children’s book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It’s a fun, old-fashioned film that sands off all the rough and dark edges of Wonka’s character in what may be the squarest large-scale Hollywood musical in decades. Also starring Hugh Grant, Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson and Olivia Colman. PG (for some violence, mild language and thematic elements). 116 mins.

(A) THE ZONE OF INTEREST In this meticulous and harrowing drama that examines the banality of evil, the commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel), and his wife, Hedwig (Sandra Hüller), strive to build a dream life for their family in a house next to the Nazi death camp. With scenes such as Hedwig modeling a fur coat ripped from a doomed prisoner, the film shows that history is full of ordinary people who find ways to block out the suffering of others. PG-13 (for thematic material, some suggestive material and smoking). 106 mins.

Compiled from staff and wire reports