Movie Reviews

Science fiction becomes the springboard for a study of selfishness, sin and the possibility of forgiveness in “Passengers” (Sony). While this tale about a transgression born of desperation will resonate with romantics, it may leave others cold.

Though the mayhem that pervades “Assassin’s Creed” (Fox), director Justin Kurzel’s adaptation of a popular series of video games, is mostly bloodless, other more unusual problems render it unacceptable for all.

“Jackie” (Fox Searchlight) is more of a passionate meditation on the nature of a first lady’s fame than a historical drama about Jacqueline Kennedy in the weeks following the 1963 assassination of her husband.

“Sing” (Universal) is a generally amiable but flawed musical cartoon, populated mostly by animals. While the essential values of this show-biz fable are respectable enough, writer-director Garth Jennings incorporates elements into his film that make it unsuitable for youngsters.

“Collateral Beauty” (Warner Bros.) is a strange, pretentious drama about overcoming grief. While that’s obviously a subject about which a good film — perhaps many of them — might be made, the treatment of it in director David Frankel’s quirky mess of a movie is at once too bizarre and too pat to yield any insights.

With “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” last year’s promising reignition of the iconic franchise, “The Force Awakens,” gains a worthy — and equally family-friendly — companion.

“The Bounce Back” (Viva) is a pleasantly compact and diverting romance in which everyone goes out of their way to be both polite and well-attired.

A striking performance from Jessica Chastain in the title role propels “Miss Sloane” (Europacorp), director John Madden’s forceful study of political corruption.