Bridgerton, in its fantastical escapism, cannot decide if its female lead will form her identity by demanding a greater standard from society or endearing herself to the worst parts of it.

With the crimes of the Night Stalker looming in its background, the thriller “Maxxxine” (A24) offers moviegoers a seedy slice of 1980s Hollywood low life. As presented here, the film’s setting is neither a time nor a place in which viewers will want to immerse themselves.

Will the space race-themed romantic comedy “Fly Me to the Moon” (Columbia) fill moviegoers’ hearts with song? Perhaps not, but it is a snappy production with a sharply written script, penned by Rose Gilroy, that’s definitely suitable for grown-ups and possibly acceptable for older teens.

“Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.” (Netflix), director Mark Molloy’s fairly routine addition to the action comedy franchise, offers a few laughs, car chases in unusual vehicles and a mostly unconvincing subplot about tension between a flawed father and his resentful offspring.

Capsule reviews of theatrical movies available now for streaming or scheduled for broadcast on network or cable television as well as notes on TV programming for the same week.

A new film promises to open people’s eyes to the 100,000 children nationwide in need of loving homes while also inviting them to be a part of the solution.

In the mid-1990s, the parishioners of an East Texas Baptist church achieved something remarkable: By adopting 77 children, they managed temporarily to empty the area’s foster care system. Their story is recounted in the affecting drama “Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot” (Angel).

Though it comes across as somewhat unfocused, the animated comedy “Despicable Me 4” (Universal) retains much of the charm that has characterized the whole series of films to which it belongs. It’s an agreeable piece of fun that’s suitable for all but the very youngest.

Capsule reviews of theatrical movies available now for streaming or scheduled for broadcast on network or cable television as well as notes on TV programming for the same week.

Though it’s the third film in a franchise that kicked off in 2018, “A Quiet Place: Day One” (Paramount) serves, as its subtitle suggests, as a prequel to its predecessors. Accordingly, it recounts the opening stages of the series’ trademark showdown between resourceful humans and marauding aliens.