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It’s been years since the night guard, Larry (Ben Stiller), discovered the strange happenings after dark at the American Museum of Natural History– at sundown the artifacts and exhibits come to life. Powered by the magic tablet of Ahkmenrah (Rami Malek), the museum has garnered considerable attention by the public, that is, until the magic started to die. Tasked with saving tablet and the exhibits, Larry, Ahkmenrah, Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams), Sacajawea (Mizuo Peck), Attila the Hun (Patrick Gallagher), Jedediah (Owen Wilson), and Octavius (Steve Coogan) will have to travel to foggy old London town to solve their problems. But, even Sir Lancelot (Dan Stevens) might not be able to save the day. Meanwhile, Larry’s son, Nick (Skyler Gisondo), is ready to spread his own wings, it’s a time of letting go, will Larry have the courage to let the things he loves most go? Aiming for the family fun ticket this holiday season Director Shawn Levy appears to indeed create and save the magic one more time with a bittersweet message about self growth that rings simple and truthful despite the otherwise fantastic circumstances surrounding the museum. Especially poignant are some of the final words from Robin Williams and Mickey Rooney, sad, but almost a knowing and loving goodbye. Meanwhile humor hitting on multiple levels, albeit some sophomoric, lends plenty to bring a smile, easy escapism for the holidays. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb is rated PG.

Rounding out the last few pages of Tolkien’s novel “the Hobbit,” Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and the dwarves under the leadership of Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Ermitage) are left to comb the kingdom of Erebor in search of the arkenstone, the mythic crown jewel of the dwarves. Meanwhile, armies of Elfs, Orcs, Dwarves and Humans have set their sights on the kingdom’s treasure and it’s strategic military position. The table is set for one more monstrous battle for middle earth, but who can, should, and will prevail? And what of this dragon sickness that Thorin appears to be suffering from? Playing perhaps as the strongest and most thoughtful of the Hobbit trilogy Director Peter Jackson has managed to take what was once depicted as an animated scribble in the 1977 telling of the same story and fleshed it out into a full two hours and twenty minutes of axes swinging, arrows flying, Orcs bellowing, and dragons soaring. And yet, even with all of it’s magic and wizardry somehow the great mystery of the Hobbit continues, how does a film let alone a trilogy manage to survive absent of heart and soul? The darkness of the Necromancer (Benedict Cumberbatch) must truly be at work here. Mildly distracting age reversal and softening CGI work also comes as a surprising shortcoming, especially considering that so much of the film actually spins from the patient hands of CGI artists and animators, ho hum. So, while the film does play as a who’s who of Tolkien lore with appearances from Galadriel (Kate Blanchett), Saruman (Christopher Lee) and Elrond (Hugo Weaving), this final installment feels a bit like a college senior in the last few weeks of school, ready to be done and on to new adventures. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies is rated PG-13.

Attempting to break out of his type cast roles as “a funny actor,” comedian Andre Allen (Chris Rock) is on the precipice of what could be a turning point for his career with a dramatic, albeit horrible, film about to be released and a televised marriage to a reality TV star (Gabrielle Union). But when a writer and critic for the New York Times (Rosario Dawson) takes an interest in Allen’s latest work begging for an interview, it’s clear the star’s world is in chaos. Can Allen right his ship, will he find his funny again, and into which woman’s arms will his heart lead him? Written, Directed, and starred in by Chris Rock it’s clear Rock has the gift for film and a toolbox of skills that are growing ever sharper. That being said, while his writing is often on point, acting on the other hand perhaps not his strongest asset, regardless, we’re left with an endearing film that achieves laugh out loud respect. Looking for a fresh comedy this weekend, look no further, you’ve found it. Top Five is rated R.