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Ian McKellen

Three very good films arrive at the same time: Bombshell, A Hidden Life and Star Wars #9

Also now playing or about to start: Cats, the giant musical, 63 Up, the latest visit with old friends, and Compulsive Liar, a big hit comedy from Quebec

Reviews of Ant-Man, Mr. Holmes and Trainwreck plus four international films

Also Suite Francaise from France, About Elly from Iran, Jimmy’s Hall from Ireland and Strangerland from Australia with Nicole Kidman

The Hobbit part 2 should be better than this. Two strong documentaries and some seasonal series offer alternatives

Middle Earth comes alive again but there’s excess in the second Hobbit film

The Hobbit rarely thrills; FDR gets playful in Hyde Park on Hudson and more classic animation from Japan’s Studio Ghibli

Before Lord of the Rings, there came The Hobbit. More adventure with some favorite characters.