Movie Reviews

“Ford v Ferrari” (Fox) revels in its 1960s gender stereotypes, evoking a “Great Man” age of auto racers in which the men were men and the women glad of it.

The mantra for a film industry obsessed with remakes and reboots could be “Everything old is new again.” The latest example: “Charlie’s Angels” (Columbia), the third film iteration of the iconic 1976-81 television series.

In crafting the horror sequel “Doctor Sleep” (Warner Bros.), which follows up on the events recounted in Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film, “The Shining” — based, like its successor, on a novel by Stephen King — writer-director Mike Flanagan takes his time and effectively builds up a macabre mood.

If your folks warned you against “Playing With Fire” (Paramount), their advice was sound. Though generally harmless, this comedy is so painfully unfunny, it’s almost fascinating.

The holiday-themed blend of romantic comedy and drama “Last Christmas” (Universal) is both awkward in execution and problematic in content.

It’s all hands on deck in the vivid fact-based naval epic “Midway” (Lionsgate). In fact, the cast of this historical drama is so crowded that viewers might feel the occasional roll call was in order.

Audience reaction to “Love and Mercy: Faustina” was so strong that Fathom Events, which mounted viewings Oct. 28, will do another round of screenings Dec. 2.

“Arctic Dogs” (AMBI Group) serves up family-friendly fare, scoring high on the cuteness meter despite its lack of originality.