Movie & Television Reviews

In theory, the tale of a shy but enthusiastic high schooler who is really a sea creature rather than a human might make for a pleasant diversion. But the major feminist and minor gay agendas that underlie the animated adventure “Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken” (Universal) spoil any potential fun the film might offer.

The story of Ballard’s battle against the sexual enslavement of kids — a horrifying form of depravity that’s disturbingly widespread — makes for a valuable and ultimately uplifting experience.

In the often-raunchy comedy “No Hard Feelings” (Sony) star Jennifer Lawrence plays a woman who agrees to sell her body for a Buick.

“The Blackening” (Lionsgate) is a brilliant comic riff on what constitutes authentic African American identity.

Thanks to its rich blend of ethnicities, the United States has long been referred to as a melting pot. In the animated romantic comedy “Elemental” (Disney), director Peter Sohn substitutes for that metaphor a fable featuring embodiments of the four elements, using the dynamics of their imaginary world to explore the immigrant experience.

We know, going in, what to expect from the seventh installment in the big-screen franchise, “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” (Paramount). Namely, a story based on the Hasbro toy line about the heroic Autobots battling a malignant plan for world domination.

Beautiful artwork is one of the few assets “Death or Treat” (Perp Games) has going for it. But that’s not enough to redeem this slightly macabre 2D action game, which otherwise feels feeble.

The parade of Spideys is something of an inside joke and may prove confusing to the uninitiated. But the film overall – which is safest for grown-ups but also possibly acceptable for mature adolescents – is a lively crowd pleaser and will likely be catnip for hardcore fans.