New in Theaters: “Poor Things” and Studio Ghibli’s “The Boy and the Heron”

1.  Poor Things  (R)  Trailer  (Limited)

Emma Stone is Bella Baxter, a young woman who’s been brought back to life by scientist Willem Dafoe.  She’s eager to learn about life, so she runs off with Mark Ruffalo, a corrupt lawyer, to travel the world.

2.  The Boy and the Heron  (PG-13)  Trailer  (Limited)

This is an animated Japanese film from Studio Ghibli and filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki.  They’re the guys behind films like “My Neighbor Totoro”“Spirited Away”, and “Kiki’s Delivery Service”.

It follows a 12-year-old boy named Mahito in 1943 who is grieiving the loss of his mother.  He’s confronted by a grey heron who claims his mom is still alive and leads him into an alternate world of magic.

It’s shown in English dubbed and in Japanese with English subtitles.  The English voice cast includes Robert PattinsonChristian BaleMark HamillWillem DafoeFlorence Pugh, and Gemma Chan.

3.  Waitress the Musical  (PG-13)  Trailer  (Limited)  (Opened Thursday)

This is a live stage recording of the Broadway musical, “Waitress”.  It stars Sara Bareilles as Jenna, a waitress and pie baker who wants to break free from her abusive husband and small town.

She feels like she has a chance to pursue her dreams with a nearby pie contest.  But things get complicated when she discovers she’s pregnant, and finds herself in an unexpected romance with a married doctor.

4.  Eileen  (R)  Trailer  (Limited)

Thomasin McKenzie (from “Last Night in Soho”) is Eileen, a young woman working at a juvenile detention facility in 1960s Boston.  She is immediately drawn to the new psychologist, played by Anne Hathaway.

Their new friendship takes a twisted turn and becomes becomes entangled in crime.

It’s based on the 2015 novel of the same name by Ottessa Moshfegh.

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