MOVIES (cont.)

Critics Consensus: Nobody Speaks: The Trials of the Free Press persuasively -- and entertainingly -- outlines the troubling tensions threatening journalism in the internet era.

Synopsis: This examination of the duties of the press in an age of inequality delves into the trial between Hulk Hogan and Gawker Media. The duel... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Hulk Hogan, David Folkenflik, Nick Denton, David Carr

Directed By: Brian Knappenberger

Critics Consensus: Win It All finds writer-director Joe Swanberg working in a comparatively mainstream vein -- and striking another collaborative spark with leading man Jake Johnson.

Synopsis: A small-time gambler (Jake Johnson) agrees to stash a duffel bag for an acquaintance who is heading to prison. When he discovers cash in the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jake Johnson, Keegan-Michael Key, Joe Lo Truglio, Aislinn Derbez

Directed By: Joe Swanberg

Critics Consensus: Click once for truth, double-click for lies: The Amina Profile blurs the virtual line between fact and fiction and extends a much-needed warning for the internet's catfish-infested waters.

Synopsis: Amina Arraf, a Syrian-American revolutionary, launches a blog as the Syrian uprising gains momentum. After she is abducted in broad daylight, an international movement starts... View Full Synopsis

Directed By: Sophie Deraspe

Critics Consensus: What Happened, Miss Simone? is a compelling -- albeit necessarily incomplete -- overview of its complex subject's singular artistic legacy and fascinating life.

Synopsis: Classically trained pianist, dive-bar chanteuse, black power icon and legendary recording artist Nina Simone lived a life of brutal honesty, musical genius, and tortured melancholy.

Starring: Lisa Simone Kelly, Roger Nupie, Al Schackman, George Wein

Directed By: Liz Garbus

Critics Consensus: Thanks to director Zak Hilditch's patient storytelling and strong work from lead Thomas Jane, 1922 ranks among the more satisfying Stephen King adaptations.

Synopsis: A rancher conspires to murder his wife for financial gain and convinces his teenage son to participate.

Starring: Thomas Jane, Neal McDonough, Molly Parker, Brian d'Arcy James

Directed By: Zak Hilditch

Critics Consensus: The Incredible Jessica James makes its standard storyline feel new, almost purely on the strength of a captivating, potentially star-making performance from Jessica Williams.

Synopsis: Jessica, an aspiring playwright in New York City, is trying to get over a recent break-up when she meets Boone, who's also recovering from a... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jessica Williams, Chris O'Dowd, Noël Wells, Megan Ketch

Directed By: James C. Strouse

Critics Consensus: Burning Sands covers familiar territory, but Trevor Jackson's layered performance and director/co-writer Gerard McMurray's empathetic approach help set it apart.

Synopsis: Zurich Condoll (Trevor Jackson) is a student at Frederick Douglass University and is proud to be a pledge at a famous African-American fraternity. But anti-hazing... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Trevor Jackson, Alfre Woodard, Steve Harris, Tosin Cole

Directed By: Gerard McMurray

Critics Consensus: Okja sees Bong Joon-ho continuing to create defiantly eclectic entertainment -- and still hitting more than enough of his narrative targets in the midst of a tricky tonal juggling act.

Synopsis: For 10 idyllic years, young Mija has been caretaker and constant companion to Okja - a massive animal and an even bigger friend - at... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ahn Seo-hyun, Tilda Swinton, Jake Gyllenhaal, Giancarlo Esposito

Directed By: Bong Joon Ho

Critics Consensus: Tallulah's narrative insight, thoughtfully written characters, and talented cast add up to an absorbing family drama that transcends genre tropes and capably overcomes its flirtations with melodrama.

Synopsis: A dissatisfied Beverly Hills housewife tired of caring for her toddler hires a stranger to baby-sit.

Starring: Elliot Page, Allison Janney, Uzo Aduba, Zachary Quinto

Directed By: Sian Heder

Critics Consensus: Amanda Knox honors its subject with an absorbing -- if slightly incomplete -- look at the details and troubling implications of her arrest and subsequent fight for freedom.

Synopsis: The trial, conviction and acquittal of Amanda Knox for the murder of an exchange student in Italy.

Starring: Amanda Knox, Curt Knox, Raffaele Sollecito, Giuliano Mignini

Directed By: Brian McGinn, Rod Blackhurst

Critics Consensus: Barry opens a speculative window into a future president's formative college years, offering a flawed yet compelling glimpse of American history in the making.

Synopsis: Barack Obama arrives in New York in the fall of 1981 for his junior year at Columbia University. He struggles to stay connected to his... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Devon Terrell, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ashley Judd, Jenna Elfman

Directed By: Vikram Gandhi

Critics Consensus: The simple story is a little short on laughs, but there's plenty of sweet wackiness for Pee-wee Herman fans to enjoy.

Synopsis: A fateful meeting with a mysterious stranger inspires Pee-wee (Paul Reubens) to take his first-ever holiday.

Starring: Paul Reubens, Tara Buck, Joe Manganiello, Jessica Pohly

Directed By: John Lee

Critics Consensus: Casting JonBenét's unorthodox approach to its genre sets it apart in a crowded field, making for a uniquely thought-provoking true crime documentary hybrid.

Synopsis: After two decades of media speculation and public fascination, filmmakers explore the macabre legacy of the world's most famous child-murder case.

Starring: Hannah Cagwin, Aeona Cruz

Directed By: Kitty Green

Critics Consensus: Hard-hitting and ambitious to a fault, The Ivory Game serves as a fittingly urgent call to action against a looming threat against vulnerable wildlife and a fragile ecosystem.

Synopsis: Ivory is a prized status symbol for middle-class Chinese, and poachers in pursuit of white gold are slaughtering African elephants in record numbers. Filmmakers went... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Prince William

Directed By: Kief Davidson, Richard Ladkani

Critics Consensus: Absorbing, unpredictable, and overall compelling, Voyeur is a singularly unusual -- and utterly memorable -- documentary experience.

Synopsis: Gay Talese investigates Gerald Foos, a Colorado motel owner who spies on his guests. Using a carefully constructed platform in the motel's attic, Foos documents... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Gay Talese

Directed By: Myles Kane, Josh Koury

Critics Consensus: The Fundamentals of Caring gets maximum mileage out of the chemistry between its well-matched leads as it follows a fairly well-worn coming-of-age road trip route.

Synopsis: A writer (Paul Rudd) retires after a personal tragedy and becomes a disabled teen's caregiver. When the two embark on an impromptu road trip, their... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Paul Rudd, Selena Gomez, Jennifer Ehle, Craig Roberts

Directed By: Rob Burnett

Critics Consensus: Gaga: Five Foot Two offers an absorbing glimpse of its superstar subject's backstage life, albeit one weakened by inconsistent focus and a dearth of performance footage.

Synopsis: Filmmaker Chris Moukarbel introduces the woman behind the performer, the costumes, the glitz and the glamour.

Starring: Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Florence Welch, Joe Germanotta

Directed By: Chris Moukarbel

Critics Consensus: Director David Bruckner makes evocative use of the Scandinavian setting and a dedicated cast to deliver a handsome -- if familiar -- horror story.

Synopsis: Reuniting after the tragic death of their friend, four college pals set out to hike through the Scandinavian wilderness. A wrong turn leads them into... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Rafe Spall, Rob James-Collier, Arsher Ali, Sam Troughton

Directed By: David Bruckner

Critics Consensus: To the Bone offers an insightful, empathetic look at a widespread issue, led by exemplary work from Lily Collins in the central role.

Synopsis: Ellen is an unruly 20-year-old anorexic girl who spent the better part of her teenage years being shepherded through various recovery programs, only to find... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Lily Collins, Alanna Ubach, Liana Liberato

Directed By: Marti Noxon

Critics Consensus: This high-concept sci-fi action thriller will make you stress-eat all the popcorn while Noomi Rapace (times seven) goes on a murderous spree to find out What Happened to Monday, but it may still leave you hungry in the end.

Synopsis: In a world where families are allowed only one child due to overpopulation, resourceful identical septuplets must avoid governmental execution and dangerous infighting while investigating... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Noomi Rapace, Willem Dafoe, Glenn Close, Robert Wagner

Directed By: Tommy Wirkola

Critics Consensus: David Brent: Life on the Road has its moments, but this further exploration of an established character suffers in comparison to what came before.

Synopsis: The film catches up with Brent 12 years after the airing of the BBC mockumentary "The Office" to find he is now a traveling salesman.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ricky Gervais, Ben Bailey Smith, Tom Basden, Nina Sosanya

Directed By: Ricky Gervais