Coming to Theaters Near You: 'The Peanuts Movie,' 'Spectre,' 'Spotlight' 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 Peanuts Movie”

“Brooklyn”

“I Smile Back”

“Miss You Already”

“Room”

“Spectre”

“Spotlight”

“Suffragette”

“Trumbo”

“The Peanuts Movie” (Nationwide, Nov. 6)

G, 93 min, Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Director: Steve Martino

Writers: Bryan Schulz, Charles M. Schulz (comic strip), Craig Schulz

Stars: Noah Schnapp, Hadley Belle Miller, Mar Mar Walker, Francesca Capaldi

Charles M. Schulz’s Comic Strip is on the Big Screen for the first time in 35 Years. The cast and crew of “The Peanuts Movie” recently descended on San Francisco for the film’s red carpet premiere.

“The Peanuts Movie” marks a series of milestones. Apart from being the first ‘Peanuts’ movie since 1980, it also commemorates the 65th anniversary of Charles M. Schulz’s comic strip, and the 50th anniversary of the TV special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

“Brooklyn” (Limited, Nov. 4, Expanding Nov. 13)

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

“I Smile Back” (Limited, Nov. 6; Expanding Nov. 13)

WATCH the above movie trailer.

R, 85 min, Drama

Director: Adam Salky

Writer: Paige Dylan,

Stars: Sarah Silverman, Josh Charles

Laney is an attractive, intelligent suburban wife and devoted mother of two adorable children. She has the perfect husband who plays basketball with the kids in the driveway, a pristine house, and a shiny SUV for carting the children to their next activity. However, just beneath the facade lie depression and disillusionment that send her careening into a secret world of reckless compulsion. Only very real danger will force her to face the painful root of her destructiveness and its crumbling effect on those she loves. – Broad Green Pictures

“Miss You Already” (Nationwide, Nov. 6)

WATCH the above movie trailer.

PG-13, 112 min, Comedy, Drama, Romance

Director: Catherine Hardwicke

Writer: Morwena Banks

Stars: Drew Barrymore, Toni Collette, Dominic Cooper

Milly (Toni Collette) and Jess (Drew Barrymore) have been best friends forever. They’ve shared everything since they were kids - secrets, clothes, laughs, substances, boyfriends... now they are trying to be grown-ups. Milly has a high-flying job and lives in a beautiful townhouse with husband Kit and their two kids. Jess is a town planner and she and her boyfriend Jago live on a bohemian houseboat on a London canal. Their friendship is as rock solid as ever. That is until Jess struggles to have a much longed-for baby and Milly finds out she has breast cancer. How do you share that? – Roadside Attractions

“Room” (Nationwide, Nov. 6)

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.”

“Spectre” (Nationwide, Nov. 6)

WATCH the above movie trailer.

PG-13, 148 min, Action, Adventure, Thriller

Director: Sam Mendes

Writers: John Logan, Neal Purvis

Stars: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Lea Seydoux

A cryptic message from Bond’s past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind Spectre. – Sony Pictures

“Spotlight” (Limited, Nov. 6; Expanding Nov. 13)

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

“Suffragette” (Expanding, Nov. 6; Nationwide, Nov. 20)

Watch the above movie review, and find out why Carey Mulligan deserves an Oscar nomination for Best Actress, and why “ Suffragette” is really about human rights at the core.

PG-13, 106 min, Drama, History

Director: Sarah Gavron

Writer: Abi Morgan

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

“Suffragette” is a portrayal of the British women’s campaign for the right to vote in the early part of the 20th century.

Helmed by director Sarah Gavron (“Brick Lane”) and screenwriter Abi Morgan (“Iron Lady”), the passionate drama relates the struggles of the suffragettes through the eyes of Maud Watts, portrayed by Carey Mulligan.

“Trumbo” (Limited, Nov. 6, Expanding Nov. 13)

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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VIDEO REVIEW: Does Carey Mulligan’s ‘Suffragette’ Deserve a Vote of Approval?

• Carey Mulligan stars as a mother and wife fighting for voting rights in early 20th century Britain.

VIDEO REVIEW: Is Brie Larson’s and Jacob Tremblay’s ‘Room’ Really that Small?

• Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay star as mother and son living in captivity in a 10-by-10-foot ‘Room.’

Coming to Theaters Near You: ‘Suffragette,’ ‘Burnt,’ ‘Our Brand Is Crisis’ and More

• Your guide to movies with a theatrical release on Oct. 30, 2015