DALLAS — Before you spring forward, check out the listing of movies to watch this weekend at your local theatre.
KUNG FU PANDA 4
Jack Black is back as his furry, animated alter ego. It's time for 'Po' to take over Master Shifu's place as spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace. That means he must choose a successor as 'Dragon Master.' But he doesn't want to give it up. Enter a street-wise fox (Awkwafina) with a tip on a super villain Chameleon (Viola Davis) who wants to kick some panda butt. It’s a chance for Po to fight her off and seal his legacy. They head off to Juniper City to track her down. Turns out, she not only wants Po's powers but the powers of all his original colleagues, too. (The superstar voice talents are written off as away on a mission.) Po's biological and adopted dads (Bryan Cranston and James Hong) tag along for the adventure, looking out for their boy, but it's all pretty much by the book.
The fourth installment of 'Panda' will please kids and parents alike, but the Kung Fu Fighter has lost some of his kick. Fun enough, but time to move on.
(Universal Studios. Rated PG. Running Time 1 hr. 34 mins. In Theaters Only)
CABRINI
You know who hasn't lost her kick? Mother Cabrini. We meet the first American saint as an Italian nun traveling to New York City in the late 19th century to improve the lives of immigrants - especially children. Standing in her way, local church and city officials who don’t accept Italians. But Cabrini is a force of nature and defiantly gets it done while battling her own illness. Italian actress Christiana Dell'Anna plays Cabrini. When it came to casting her, the 'eyes' had it. Director Alejandro Monteverde wanted someone who could speak with her eyes and succeeded. In supporting roles: David Morse as the Archbishop, John Lithgow as the Mayor.
I'm partial to this story because my own mother has a devotion to the saint. It's nicely done, if not a bit long, emphasizing humanity more than religious fervor. Monteverde is an immigrant himself, from Mexico. He hopes you'll look past any faith-based labels and simply be moved by Cabrini's sense of mission.
(Angel Studios. Rated PG-13. Running Time 2 hrs. 25 mins. In Theaters Only)
ACCIDENTAL TEXAN
Thomas Haden Church corrals this Texas story. A young actor, played by Rudy Pankow, blows his big chance on a film set. On his way home to L.A., his car breaks down in Buffalo Gap, Texas. (Cute name, real town) At the local cafe, he meets Church's character, Merle, who decides he could use the actor's skills to his advantage. He's in the oil business, and his lease is running out... along with his luck. So, our Harvard-educated visitor poses as a landman to pull one over on the big bad banker who's on Merle's tail. A surrogate relationship evolves. Bruce Dern and Carrie-Anne Moss are featured.
"Accidental Texan" is based by a book written by a Texan, the story adapted by a Texan and shot in Buffalo Gap and several other small Central Texas towns. Church keepin' it real and keepin' it close to home. And it's charming. The film includes a joke about a Troy Aikman autograph. Church hopes it gets back to Troy and he checks out the movie along with his friends. You, too. Buffalo Gap is a nice place to hang your hat, even if it's by accident.
(Roadside Attractions. Rated PG-13. Running Time 1 hr. 44 mins. In Theaters Only)
AMERICAN DREAMER
Peter Dinklage's 'Phil' has the American Dream firmly in his sights: owning a parking place at the college where he teaches economics and, above all, owning his own home. He challenges his real estate agent, played by Matt Dillon, to find a great place he can afford. But he beats his agent to it, spotting an ad in the paper: $240,000 for an amazing estate with one catch. The buyer must live on site in a small apartment until the owner dies, then it's all his. The owner turns out to be the spritely 'Astrid,' played by Shirley MacLaine, who's not on death's door as advertised. Phil carries on with a student and then Astrid's lawyer who wants to quash the sweetheart deal. But he and Astrid grow sweet on each other, in a plot point I didn't fully buy into. That said, MacLaine is one of my all-time favorites, and as it turns out, Dinklage's, too. He's a producer on the film, and she was his top choice. As for Dinklage, he's fully invested in his role, down to some major pratfalls.
"American Dreamer" is written by Theodore Melfi, who also wrote a great little film called "St. Vincent," starring Bill Murray, along with the critically-acclaimed "Hidden Figures." This is a dark comedy with sweet roots. You'll enjoy it.
(Vertical. NR. Running Time 1 hr. 38 mins. Video On Demand)
RICKY STANICKY
Are you ready for the return of raunchy? Peter Farrelly, creator of such comedy classics as "Dumb and Dumber" and "There's Something About Mary" went off and made himself respectable, winning two Oscars in 2019 for "Green Book," including Best Picture. Now he's back to his roots directing, but not writing, "Ricky Stanicky." So, who is our title character? He's an imaginary friend invented by a trio of kids so they'd have someone to blame when they misbehaved. 25 years later, it's still going on! Zac Efron leads the pack. When a lie involving Ricky makes one of them miss the birth of his son, families want to meet the infamous friend. So, the guys hire an actor to cover their tracks. That's John Cena, a rock star impersonator they'd met in a bar (whose stage name I cannot share). Ricky fully owns his new role, pulling the wool over everyone's eyes, including Efron's boss, played by William H. Macy.
Cena has acted before, my favorite as featured in Amy Schumer's 2015 "Trainwreck." But I was surprised how truly funny he is in this. Is it a classic? No. But it's definitely good for some welcome laughs, thanks in large part to Cena. Macy will leave you with parting laughs, thanks to a sight gag he won't live down any time soon.
(Prime Video. Rated R. Running Time 1 hr. 53 mins. Streaming Only)
