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Northern Ireland in the late 1960’s sets the scene for Buddy (Jude Hill), a young boy growing up in a protestant home situated on a very catholic street. Challenged from all directions Buddy must find north on his internal compass in order to survive. Fortunately, his family is full of good wisdom. With luck, the teachings from his Ma, Pa, Granny and Pop (Caitriona Balfe, Jamie Dornan, Judi Dench, Ciarán Hinds) might be enough to coach him to success. Written and Directed by Kenneth Branagh, this fictionalized yet autobiographical sliver of time is an endearing and loving tribute to Northern Ireland. Recounting the magic of youth and what it is to be part of a tight knit community. Shot almost entirely in black and white Branagh accurately aims to capture the textures and feels one might experience whilst paging through Time magazine or an old family photo album, smattering the good with the bad, the laughter and the tragedy with just the right touch of whimsy. Brilliantly cast and performed this hour and 38 minute time capsule is worth the watch. Belfast is rated PG-13.

In the Marvel Universe, at the dawn of civilization a race of super powered immortal beings known as the Eternals were sent to earth to protect humans from a species of creatures known as the Deviants. Now, thousands of years later, the Eternals have spread out across the globe living amongst the humans awaiting further instruction. But, it would appear their next marching orders may not be well received and the fate of earth will depend on their actions one way or another. Directed by Chloé Zhao and written by Zhao, Patrick Burleigh, and Ryan Firpo this bloated saunter through the history humanity plays without creating significant empathy or reason to care for any of the star studded principals, an A list that includes the likes of Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Kumail Nanjiani, Richard Madden, and Gemma Chan. Doubled with particularly lazy and lengthy exposition throughout, this two hour and 37 minute slog truly tests the increasingly short attention span of the human species. Further, challenged by less developed CGI, the special effects don’t seem to feel as “special;” our expectations have been set higher and this feels particularly like a scrape of the bottom of the barrel. Eternals is rated PG-13.