Film Previews

“Megalopolis”

• R | 138 minutes

• Director/Writer: Francis Ford Coppola

• Stars: Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel

“Megalopolis” takes place in an alternate universe setting called New Rome City and is centered on a war of ideas between Mayor Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito) and Cesar (Adam Driver), the chair of the Design Authority (sort of like a powerful group of architects who are treated like rock stars for some reason). Cicero wants to keep New Rome as it is, a functional but not particularly inspiring place that could maybe use a lucrative new casino. Cesar wants to rebuild it as a fantastical utopia. Between them is Julia Cicero (Nathalie Emmanuel), her loyalty divided between her father and her beloved.

“The Wild Robot”

• PG-13 | 101 minutes

• Director: Chris Sanders

• Writers: Chris Sanders, Peter Brown

• Stars: Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor

“The Wild Robot” follows a robot named ROZZUM unit 7134, aka “Roz.” She is shipwrecked on an island that is uninhabited by humans but rich with animal life. While Roz is equipped to handle just about everything humanity can throw at her, she is not at all prepared for everything the animal kingdom has in store. Roz must learn to adapt to these surroundings and build relationships with the animals on the island as she becomes the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling. What ensues is a harrowing, deeply emotional journey that is overflowing with humanity. It is also assured to make anyone not made of stone cry, likely more than once. Bring tissues and plan accordingly.

“Lee”

• R | 116 minutes

• Director: Ellen Kuras

• Writers: Liz Hannah, Marion Hume, John Collee

• Stars: Alexander Skarsgård, Kate Winslet, Andy Samberg

A focus on a pivotal decade in the life of American war correspondent and photographer Lee Miller (Kate Winslett). Miller’s singular talent and unbridled tenacity resulted in some of the 20th century’s most indelible images of war, including an iconic photo of Miller herself, posing defiantly in Hitler’s private bathtub. Miller had a profound understanding and empathy for women and the voiceless victims of war. Her images display both the fragility and ferocity of the human experience. Above all, the film shows how Miller lived her life at full throttle in pursuit of truth, for which she paid a huge personal price, forcing her to confront a traumatic and deeply buried secret from her childhood.