Coming to Theaters Near You: 'Mockingjay - Part 2,' 'The Night Before,' 'Legend' and More

– By Beau Behan, Film Critic

Are you planning on going to the movies this weekend? Here are this week’s new releases.

“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2”

“Brooklyn”

“Carol”

“Legend”

“Room”

“Secret in Their Eyes”

“Spotlight”

“The Night Before”

“Trumbo”

“ The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 ” (Nationwide, Nov. 20)

WATCH the above movie review and find out why “Mockingjay - Part 2” reflects a splinter of sadness and a beauty to behold, at the same time. It is a smart thriller and adventure film!

PG - 13, 137 min, Adventure, Sci-fi

Director: Francis Lawrence

Writers: Peter Craig, Danny Strong

Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth

A film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ “The Hunger Games” novels, “The Hunger Games” movie series is set in a post-apocalyptic nation of Panem where the dictatorial governing rich is unconscionable towards the poor.

It stars Jennifer Lawrence as the heroine, Katniss Everdeen – the impoverished denizens’ symbol of hope and determination in their plight.

Directed by Francis Lawrence, the series has four film installments: “The Hunger Games (2012),” “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013),” “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014),” and “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (2015).”

“Brooklyn” (Expanding, Nov. 20)

WATCH the above movie trailer.

PG-13, 111 min, Drama, Romance

Director: John Crowley

Writer: Nick Hornby

Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Matt Glyn, Brid Brennan

“Brooklyn” tells the profoundly moving story of Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan), a young Irish immigrant navigating her way through 1950s Brooklyn. Lured by the promise of America, Eilis departs Ireland and the comfort of her mother’s home for the shores of New York City. The initial shackles of homesickness quickly diminish as a fresh romance sweeps Eilis into the intoxicating charm of love. But soon, her new vivacity is disrupted by her past, and Eilis must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within. – Fox Searchlight

“Carol” (Limited, Nov. 20)

WATCH the above movie trailer.

R, 118 min, Drama, Romance

Director: Todd Haynes

Writer: Phyllis Nagy

Stars: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara

In an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s seminal novel, “The Price of Salt,” “Carol” follows two women (Blanchett and Mara) from very different backgrounds who find themselves in an unexpected love affair in 1950s New York. As conventional norms of the time challenge their undeniable attraction, an honest story emerges to reveal the resilience of the heart in the face of change. – Weinstein Company

“Legend” (Nationwide, Nov. 20)

WATCH the above movie trailer.

R, 131 min, Biography, Crime, Thriller

Director: Brian Helgeland

Writer: Brian Helgeland

Stars: Tom Hardy, Emily Browning, Taron Egerton

Based on the true story of the rise and fall of London’s most notorious gangsters, Reggie and Ron Kray, both portrayed by Tom Hardy in an incredible performance. “Legend” is a classic crime thriller taking us into the secret history of the 1960s and the extraordinary events that secured the infamy of the Kray Twins. – Universal Pictures

“Secret in Their Eyes” (Nationwide, Nov. 20)

WATCH the above movie trailer.

PG-13, 111 min, Mystery, Thriller

Director: Billy Ray

Writer: Billy Ray, Eduardo Sacheri

Stars: Nicole Kidman, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Julia Roberts

A tight-knit team of rising investigators – Ray (Ejiofor) and Jess (Roberts), along with their supervisor Claire (Kidman) – is suddenly torn apart when they discover that Jess’s teenage daughter has been brutally and inexplicably murdered. Now, thirteen years later, after obsessively searching every day for the elusive killer, Ray finally uncovers a new lead that he’s certain can permanently resolve the case, nail the vicious murderer, and bring long-desired closure to his team. No one is prepared, however, for the shocking, unspeakable secret that will reveal the enduring, destructive effects of personal vengeance on the human soul. – STX Entertainment

“ Room ” (Nationwide, Nov. 20)

WATCH the above movie review, and find out why “Room” is majestic, and that Brie Larson and Jack Tremblay both deserve Oscar nominations for their stellar performances.

R, 118 min, Drama

Director: Lenny Abrahamson

Writers: Emma Donoghue (novel and screenplay)

Stars: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Joan Allen, William H. Macy

A film adaptation of the critically acclaimed novel of the same title by Emma Donoghue, “Room” is a riveting emotional journey.

Directed by Lenny Abrahamson (“Frank”), the psychological drama stars Brie Larson (“Short Term 12”) as Joy and Jacob Tremblay as her five-year-old son— both locked in a 10-by-10-foot “Room.”

“Spotlight” (Nationwide, Nov. 20)

WATCH the above movie review.

R, 128 min, Biography, Drama, History

Director: Tom McCarthy

Writers: Tom McCarthy (screenplay), Josh Singer (screenplay)

Stars: Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams

“Spotlight” tells the riveting true story of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Boston Globe investigation that would rock the city and cause a crisis in one of the world’s oldest and most trusted institutions. When the newspaper’s tenacious “Spotlight” team of reporters delves into allegations of abuse in the Catholic Church, their year-long investigation uncovers a decades-long cover-up at the highest levels of Boston’s religious, legal, and government establishment, touching off a wave of revelations around the world. Directed by Academy Award-nominee Tom McCarthy, “Spotlight” is a tense investigative dramatic-thriller, tracing the steps to one of the biggest cover-ups in modern times. – Open Road

“The Night Before” (Nationwide, Nov. 20)

WATCH the above movie trailer.

R, 101 min, Comedy

Director: Jonathan Levine

Writers: Jonathan Levine, Evan Goldberg, Kyle Hunter

Stars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anthony Mackie

Ethan(Gordon-Levitt), Isaac (Rogen), and Chris (Mackie) have been friends since childhood, and for a decade, their yearly Christmas Eve reunion has been an annual night of debauchery and hilarity. Now that they’re entering adulthood, the tradition is coming to an end, and to make it as memorable as possible, they set out to find the Nutcracka Ball- the Holy Grail of Christmas parties. – Sony Pictures

“Trumbo” (Nationwide, Nov. 20)

WATCH the above movie trailer.

R, 124 min, Biography, Drama

Director: Jay Roach

Writers: John McNamara (screenplay), Bruce Cook (book)

Stars: Bryan Cranston, Diane Lane, Helen Mirren, John Goodman, Elle Fanning

In 1947, Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston) was Hollywood’s top screenwriter until he and other artists were jailed and blacklisted for their political beliefs. “Trumbo” (directed by Jay Roach) recounts how Dalton used words and wit to win two Academy Awards and expose the absurdity and injustice under the blacklist, which entangled everyone from gossip columnist Hedda Hopper (Helen Mirren) to John Wayne, Kirk Douglas and Otto Preminger. The film also stars Diane Lane, John Goodman, Louis C.K., Elle Fanning, and Michael Stuhlbarg. – Bleecker Street

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