Weekend Movie Review: 'Jumanji: The Next Level' And 'Bombshell'

The worlds of drama, thrillers and adventure light up the big screen this weekend.

For fans of the "Jumanji" franchise, your wait is over. The sequel, "Jumanji: The Next Level," hits theaters this weekend, starring Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Karen Gillan and Kevin Hart as video avatars in a virtual world.

Also making a big splash this weekend is Clint Eastwood's drama-thriller, "Richard Jewell," starring Paul Walter Hauser in the titular role of the 1996 Olympics hero turned bombing suspect.

In the mood for an explosive drama? "Bombshell," detailing the ouster of Roger Ailes, stars Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie as a trio of women who find the courage to speak out against the Fox News chief.

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

Movies Out This Weekend

“Bombshell” — Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie; directed by Jay Roach

A story about workplace harassment and abuse of power, Jay Roach’s “Bombshell” explores a real-life scandal: the demise of Fox News’ founder and cable news mogul Roger Ailes in July 2016. At the heart of the explosive drama are three different blonde women who embody beauty, brains, ambition — and courage to speak the truth.

One of them is superstar anchor Megyn Kelly (Charlize Theron) who radiates an air of confidence in the movie’s opening sequence as she breaks the fourth wall to introduce viewers to the Fox News orbit and culture. In turn, we see Ailes’ office on the second floor, setting up nicely what lies ahead. Audience members will soon learn that the film's narrative revolves mostly around Kelly's personal struggles.

Another member of the core trio is Kelly’s fellow anchor, Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman), who, in one of the key scenes, suggests a “no cosmetics” show where she’ll wear no makeup. Without any warning, an upset Ailes storms into the studio and admonishes Carlson in front of the crew, screaming: “No one wants to watch a middle-aged woman sweat.” Feeling embarrassed, Carlson can only retort with a short “Thank you” response. But her seething resentment toward her powerful boss will soon reach boiling point, as she attempts to restore her dignity in the process.

Finally, Kayla Pospisil (Margot Robbie), a fictional composite character for the younger abused women, is the third heroine in the movie. Her grand ambition of becoming a news anchor soon leads her into Ailes’ office, where the evangelical millennial endures humiliating sexual pressure at the hands of the boorish Fox News chief. Most notably, after the incident, she unleashes a tide of tears packed with gut-wrenching emotions that will strike at the film's very core.

In the end, Carlson’s bombshell sexual harassment lawsuit against Ailes comes to light along with Kelly’s path to moral clarity. As it turns out, Kelly also had harassment experiences with Ailes in the past. Clearly, she now has a choice to make — whether to go public about them or not.

See it. Together, Theron, Kidman and Robbie exude a triple threat of star power, blazing dramatic gravitas and transformative performances. But don’t expect the 108-minute film to delve deeply into the Carlson vs. Ailes case.

Watch the trailer:

“Jumanji: The Next Level” — Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Karen Gillan, Kevin Hart; directed by Jake Kasdan

In this sequel to the 2017 "Jumanji" franchise reboot, original cast members Alex Wolff, Ser’Darius Blain, Madison Iseman and Morgan Turner all return to reprise their roles of four teenagers who survived and escaped the most unforgiving video game in the world.

Picking up two years after the events of “Welcome to the Jungle,” the latest installment reunites the four teenagers, now college students, back in their hometown of Brantford, New Hampshire, over the holiday break. Everything seems to be status quo in their lives — that is, until Spencer (Wolff) feels the jitters to turn on the video game.

Once again, the young man suddenly vanishes into the virtual world of the “Jumanji” jungle. When his close friends — Fridge (Blain), Bethany (Iseman) and Martha (Turner) — discover his disappearance, they quickly re-enter the virtual world to find him. As they resurface, they morph into some of our favorite “Jumanji” avatars played by Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Karen Gillan.

Joining them in this adventure are Bethany’s friend Alex (Nick Jonas), Spencer’s grandpa Eddie (Danny Devito) and his grandpa’s old friend Milo (Danny Glover). And let’s not forget about Awkwafina, who plays a mysterious avatar, a cat burglar named Ming.

From the arid deserts to the snowy mountains, can our heroes prevail over the unknown?

See it. Surprises and laughs abound in this thrilling adventure. Plus, the chemistry among the cast is magnetic. However, the plot is somewhat hard to follow.

Watch the trailer:

“Richard Jewell” — Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Kathy Bates, Olivia Wilde; directed by Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood delivers yet another everyday-hero storytelling in “Richard Jewell,” a film that celebrates one man’s selfless act of bravery — and his indomitable spirit in the face of persecution. That man is the late Richard Jewell, the 1996 Atlanta Olympics hero whose valor would tragically turn his life upside down in the blink of an eye.

Based on Marie Brenner’s 1997 Vanity Fair article, Eastwood’s latest drama introduces Jewell (Hauser) as an overzealous wannabe cop. On the night of July 27, 1996, he is working as a security guard during a concert at the Centennial Olympic Park.

He discovers a suspicious backpack where he is stationed, so he alerts the cops who soon discover a bomb. With time running out, he helps clear the crowd out of the park. Then, the unthinkable happens, directly killing one person and injuring 111 others. This action sequence is chillingly palpable to the core.

In the aftermath, the 30-something Richard Jewell is hailed as a hero, and his mother, Bobi (Kathy Bates), can’t be prouder of her son. But three days later, their life comes crashing down when they learn that FBI has declared Jewell as the “lone bomber”— their prime suspect.

What ensues is a cautionary tale about facts versus fiction, where one ordinary man’s life hangs in the balance.

See it. Nail-biting tension and excellent performances pervade Eastwood’s film.

Watch the trailer:

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