Movies Out This Weekend: 'Logan Lucky,' 'Patti Cake$,' 'Shot Caller,' 'The Hitman's Bodyguard'

This weekend's movies are filled with exciting plots and epic character transformations. In "Shot Caller," Nicolaj Coster-Waldau goes from "Game of Thrones" royal to prison inmate. "Logan Lucky" stars Channing Tatum, who leaves his "Magic Mike" male stripper persona behind to play a robber with a beer gut.

Meanwhile, Sundance favorite "Patti Cake$" shows us a struggling musician on the road to becoming a famous rapper, while Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson take down a tyrant in "The Hitman's Bodyguard."

Find out which of these films are must-sees and which ones aren't worth your time.

Opening This Weekend

“Logan Lucky” — Channing Tatum, Daniel Craig, directed by Steven Soderberg

Be forewarned: Channing Tatum is less "Magic Mike" and more "beer belly and southern drawl" in his newest film. In "Logan Lucky," the actor plays Jim Logan, an ex-football star with a mission to rob a vault buried deep in the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Joining him in his heist are a bunch of motley characters including his one-armed brother Clyde (Adam Driver), his hairdresser sister Mellie (Riley Keough) and scene-stealing criminal Joe Bang (Daniel Craig). Despite its sporadic silliness, director Steven Soderberg’s new crime caper is brilliant, humorous and utterly engaging.

See it. Just don’t expect Tatum to perform any stripteases.

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“Patti Cake$” — Danielle Macdonald, Cathy Moriarty, directed by Geremy Jasper

The first feature film from acclaimed music-video director Geremy Jasper, “Patti Cake$,” chronicles a heroine story that is utterly inspiring. In her breakout star performance, Danielle Macdonald plays Patricia Dombrowski, a 23-year-old musician who aspires to become a famous rapper against all odds — including an army of haters, unpaid bills and broken dreams in low-end suburbia.

See it. The Sundance gem reminds us all to keep our eyes on the prize regardless of any hurdles along the way.

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“Shot Caller” — Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Lake Bell, Jon Bernthal, directed by Ric Roman Waugh

“Games of Thrones” fans, can you imagine Jamie Lannister (aka actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) as a successful businessman turned hardened criminal? Well if you can't, you’re in for a big surprise — a good one. This time around, the Danish actor plays Jacob Harlon, a law-abiding citizen who gets incarcerated for a DUI. In the process, he becomes a prison gangster in order to survive the brutality of his new home. Despite the plot’s lack of originality, Coster-Waldau makes the movie gripping.

See it. The Westeros knight’s transformation is a sight to behold.

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“The Hitman’s Bodyguard” — Samuel L. Jackson, Ryan Reynolds, directed by Patrick Hughes

In the comic action-thriller, the world’s top bodyguard Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds) must protect notorious assassin Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson). Why? The hitman is the only witness to a crime committed by an evil tyrant. Over the course of 24 hours, mayhem erupts as the two polar opposites try to make their way to the International Court of Justice to testify. Explosions. Action chases. Repeat!

Skip it. The script fails to make the most of the duo’s star power.

Check out the trailers:

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• What's New On Netflix: August 2017

Top Photo: Channing Tatum and Director Steven Soderbergh attend "Logan Lucky" Tennessee Benefit Screening For Variety - The Children's Charity at Regal Pinnacle Stadium 18 on August 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)