John Mulderig

Viewers out for sweeping spectacle will likely come away from director Ridley Scott’s historical epic satisfied. But those seeking insight into the conquering French emperor’s personality will find there’s a hollow ring to star Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of him.

Considered artistically, the quirky, sometimes humorous but more often confusing superhero adventure “The Marvels” (Disney) presents a mixed bag of ingredients that will likely appeal to some viewers but not others.

The relationship that writer-director Sofia Coppola’s screen version of Priscilla Presley’s 1985 memoir “Elvis and Me” charts is a strange mix of the respectable and the unsavory.

Attentive viewers will discern some positive moral values underlying the plot of the action comedy “Freelance” (Relativity).

– A warmhearted profile of a pioneering Indigenous American sports figure is provided in filmmakers Jonathan Cipiti and Megan Harrington’s documentary “Native Ball: Legacy of a Trailblazer.”

A child-abduction theme lends a dark undertone to the turbid horror film “Five Nights at Freddy’s.”

Small-time retail investors take on some of the titans of Wall Street in the wry fact-based blend of comedy and drama “Dumb Money” (Sony). Although the David vs. Goliath aspect of director Craig Gillespie’s film is appealing, the relentless vulgarity of its dialogue gives his retrospective a hard edge and renders it acceptable for few.

Although the horror sequel “The Exorcist: Believer” (Universal) gets off to a reasonably promising start, it degenerates quickly. It ends up being a muddle both dramatically and, more significantly, in its treatment of religion.