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Running off with the circus seems like the perfect life and escape for Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper); a straight edge down on his luck. But, with the right timing and the teachings of Zeena the Seer (Toni Collette) and Pete (David Strathairn), Stanton’s life launches as a Mentalist and Medium, assisted by his wife Molly (Rooney Mara). Enter femme fatal, Dr. Lilith Ritter (Cate Blanchett), the battle of mentalist vs. psychologist is afoot and holding onto one’s sanity is the prize, this is Nightmare Alley. Written by Guillermo del Toro and Kim Morgan, based on the novel by William Lindsay Gresham and Directed by del Toro, this fantastical cinematic gem offers beauty wrapped around a lethal core of art deco neo noir terror and it couldn’t be sweeter! Transporting and transformative del Toro pulls this exquisite specimen from its formaldehyde jar, reanimating as only a true necromancer can, commanding tremendous performances from his ensemble. This old timey tale of woe will leave audiences thrilled and talking, just at the circuses of yesterday did, but watch out for the spook show. Running two hours and thirty minutes this R rated triller is a must see.

After years of military service Malik Khan (Riz Ahmed) returns home to rescue his two young sons, Jay and Bobby (Lucian-River Chauhan and Aditya Geddada), from an alien invasion that’s silently creeping across the globe; meanwhile, the schism between reality and fiction appears to be growing. Written by Joe Barton and Michael Pearce and Directed by Pearce this sci-fi, road tripping, precocious coming of age adventure works nicely in that its principal cast members, including Octavia Spencer, deliver heart felt, endearing, and captivating performances to sell the illusion from start to finish, special nods to newcomers Chauhan and Geddada. Meanwhile, thoughtful character development makes for a more dimensional watch. And, for its size, this little train that could offers a connection that feels authentic between father and sons. Running just shy of two hours the overall pacing seems on par and even better crafted in its brevity. Worth your attention this weekend, Encounter is rated R.

Adapting the 1957 musical that showcases a forbidden love in the midst of two rival gangs on the streets of old New York battling it out for territory in West Side Story. Written by Tony Kushner, based on the work of Arthur Laurents and Directed by Steven Spielberg, this cinematic masterpiece captures the choreography, music, time, and spirit of the original work with a stellar ensemble placing Ansel Elgort at Tony, Rachel Zegler as Maria, Ariana DeBose as Anita, David Alvarez as Bernardo, and Mike Faist as Riff. And, with Spielberg’s mind and eye for cinematography this immersive dive into the 50’s immediately bathes the audience in the magic of one of the most iconic musicals in American theatre history; miraculously keeping the action centered on screen with the perfect balance of movement, almost dancing with the chorus. Running two hours and thirty six minutes this lovingly and beautifully crafted work will remind you of the power that can exist in musical theater when executed properly. Winner, West Side Story is rated PG-13.