Holiday Movie Guide: 'Little Women,' 'Spies In Disguise' And More

This weekend, the highly anticipated reimagining of "Little Women" comes to life in theaters near you, starring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh and Eliza Scanlen as the March sisters.

Also making a big splash this weekend is the body-swap comedy "Spies in Disguise," starring Will Smith and Tom Holland as a pair of polar opposites suddenly thrust into the world of spy adventures.

Looking for a searing biopic? Look no further than "A Hidden Life," the real-life story of Franz Jägerstätter, an unsung hero who, with his indomitable spirit, persevered to preserve his humanity in the face of persecution, subjugation and crushing madness. The film stars August Diehl and Valerie Pachner as married couple Franz and Franziska Jägerstätter.

Here's what to see and what to skip this weekend:

Movies Out This Weekend

“Little Women” — Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Timothee Chalamet; directed by Greta Gerwig

Greta Gerwig’s film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s 19th century novel captures the beauty and driving tensions of sisterhood through the prism of the March sisters’ youth. What comes to life is a portrait of four adult women looking back with tenderness on the memories and experiences that embody who they are.

The first among equals is the strong-willed aspiring writer Jo March (Saoirse Ronan), who takes her stories to a fastidious publisher, Mr. Dashwood (Tracy Letts). He edits as he reads and finally gives a verdict, advising her to write more sensationally. This sets the tone for the myriad of challenges that lie ahead of Jo.

Meanwhile, the fashionable, aspiring painter Amy (Florence Pugh) is in Paris with the sisters’ wealthy Aunt March (Meryl Streep). The maternal and headstrong Meg (Emma Watson) is married back in New England, while the open-hearted musician Beth (Eliza Scanlen) is at home with their mother, Marmee (Laura Dern).

As the screenplay takes us back and forth from the March sisters’ childhood to present, it immerses audiences in the stark realities of adulthood with incisive questions on love, money, ambitions and sacrifices.

See it. Well-crafted and well-acted, Gerwig’s “Little Women” is no “little” feat, as it is bound for greatness in the years to come, delighting audiences with its indelible sensitivity and endearing charm.

Watch the trailer:

“Spies in Disguise” — Will Smith, Tom Holland; directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane

Nick Bruno and Troy Quane’s feature directorial debut is an animated body-swap comedy about a pair of polar opposites — one is sophisticated, the other just plain and simple— who, under extenuating circumstances, are forced to partner up.

Will Smith voices debonair and suave Lance Sterling, the world’s greatest spy who likes to “fly solo” on his missions, armed with the coolest, latest and greatest spy gadgets, including his state-of-the-art two-seater sports vehicle, Audi RSQ e-tron.

One day, when Lance suddenly is accused of stealing a deadly drone from The Agency lab, he quickly heads to the residence of tekkie-genius Walter Beckett (Tom Holland), a young scientist who creates harmless-yet-effective spy gadgets. As it turns out, Lance needs Walter’s latest invention, called bio-dynamic concealment — an elixir that can help him disguise his identity in plain sight. Well, moments later, he accidentally ingests the formula, turning him into a pigeon. Now, there’s one big problem— Walter does not have the antidote!

And so begins the unlikely duo’s spy adventure together to find the real, mysterious culprit who stole the weapon of mass destruction. Meanwhile, Walter desperately attempts to concoct an antidote to the elixir.

See it. “Spies in Disguise” has enough good-natured family entertainment, notwithstanding some pigeon jokes that land flat.

Watch the trailer:

“A Hidden Life” — August Diehl, Valerie Pachner; directed by Terrence Malick

Terrence Malick's sublime and highly affecting film "A Hidden Life" is the real-life story of Franz Jägerstätter (August Diehl), an unsung hero who, with his indomitable spirit, persevered to preserve his humanity in the face of persecution, subjugation and crushing madness.

Born and raised in the village of St. Radegund, the Austrian peasant farmer lived a simple life with his wife, Franziska (Valerie Pachner), and their three young daughters in the fertile valleys and mountains of upper Austria at the outbreak of World War II, a war Franz will find cruel beyond belief.

To get an exclusive look, check out Patch’s interview with Valerie Pachner.

See it. Poignant and powerful, “A Hidden Life” gracefully weaves the very essence of life, the existence of nature and its spiritual grace through the prism of love and true convictions, portrayed with superb dramatic gravitas by Diehl and Pachner.

Watch the trailer:

Other Entertainment News:

• What's New On Netflix: December 2019
• Terrence Malick's 'A Hidden Life': An Exclusive Look
• Reviews of 'Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker' And 'Cats'
• Reviews of 'Jumanji: The Next Level,' 'Bombshell' And 'Richard Jewell'
• Reviews of 'Dark Waters' and 'The Aeronauts'
• Reviews of 'Knives Out' and 'Queen & Slim'
• Reviews of 'Frozen II,' 'A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood' and '21 Bridges'
• Reviews of 'Ford v Ferrari,' 'Charlie's Angels' and 'The Good Liar'