The Commuter: This follows the usual Liam Neeson pattern of a decent, downtrodden guy who finds redemption and glory while facing great odds, but this transcends formula, with genuine thrills and a complicated and interesting story. It all takes place on a train. Rated PG-13. 104 minutes.

— Mick LaSalle

Lady Bird: Greta Gerwig’s debut as a solo writer-director is this unconventional coming-of-age tale about an extroverted high school senior (Saoirse Ronan), clashing with her mother and wanting to leave her native Sacramento. This is a warm, good-hearted, intuitive movie that could be the start of an exceptional filmmaking career. Rated R. 94 minutes.

— Mick LaSalle

HOLLYWOOD VIDEO

Now Playing:
  • Now Playing
     Chris Hemsworth Reveals What It's Like to Have Miley Cyrus as Part of the Family InStyle
  • Cabello: 'Havana' is 'my baby' Associated Press
  • Alec Baldwin Defends Woody Allen as Actors Back Away From Filmmaker Entertainment Weekly
  • Keira Knightley Doesn't Like Modern-Day Films Because the Female Characters 'Always Get Raped' Entertainment Weekly
  • Grey's Anatomy' Star Ellen Pompeo Talks $20 Million Contract Wibbitz
  • ShowBiz Minute: Damon, Baldwin, McCartney Associated Press
  • North Korea All-Female Group Moranbong Time
  • Kim and Kanye West welcome their third baby Cosmopolitan
  • Theater Arts Teacher Uses Hamilton to Protest Cuts to Arts Budget Storyful
  • Anna Kournikova and Enrique Iglesias Have Twins! See Their First Baby Photos InStyle

Phantom Thread: Daniel Day-Lewis stars as a dress designer in 1950s London, whose obsessive work habits distort every relationship. This film, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, traces the trajectory of one such relationship — with a waitress (Vicky Krieps), who comes into his life wanting something more. One of Paul Thomas Anderson’s best films, his first success in a while. Rated R. 130 minutes.

— Mick LaSalle

Paddington 2: A sequel to the charming 2015 children’s live-action film featuring a computer-animated bear (lent sweet voice by Ben Whishaw) lacks some of its predecessor’s spark. But it is so warmhearted and well-acted (and animated) that a slight drop in quality hardly matters. Plus, the sequel features a delightful goof of a performance by Hugh Grant as a vain thespian. Rated PG. 103 minutes.

— Carla Meyer