In Theaters: PADDINGTON 2, THE COMMUTER, PROUD MARY and THE INSULT

This week in theaters we have the first wave of significant new wide releases. There's the sequel "Paddington 2", which is currently 100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, the thriller "The Commuter" starring Liam Neeson and the actioner "Proud Mary" starring Taraji P. Henson. In limited release be sure to check out the Lebanese courtroom drama "The Insult", which is on the Oscar shortlist for best foreign language film.

Synopses, details, critical reception, trailers, clips and more after the jump.

PADDINGTON 2

Official Synopsis

ADDINGTON 2 finds Paddington happily settled with the Brown family in Windsor Gardens, where he has become a popular member of the community, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes. While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy's hundredth birthday, Paddington spots a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber's antique shop, and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it's up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief... Helmed by twice BAFTA nominated director Paul King, PADDINGTON 2 is co-produced by multi award-winning David Heyman / Heyday Films (producer of all eight of the HARRY POTTER films, GRAVITY, THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS, FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM) and StudioCanal, who will also distribute in the UK, France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. PADDINGTON is based on the best-selling and internationally adored series of children's stories by British author Michael Bond, which have sold more than 35 million copies worldwide, been translated into over 40 languages and captured the imagination of children and adults around the globe.

Film Details

• Director: Paul King
  
  
• Starring: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Grant, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters
  
  
• Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
  
  
• Running Time: 103 min.
  
  
• Rating: PG for some action and mild rude humor
  
  

Critical Reception

• Rottentomatoes: 100% (148 fresh, 0 rotten, score: 8.6/10)
  
• Metacritic: 89 out of 100 (37 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative).

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THE COMMUTER

Official Synopsis

In this action-packed thriller, Liam Neeson is Michael, an insurance salesman, whose daily commute home quickly becomes anything but routine. After being confronted by a mysterious stranger (Vera Farmiga), Michael is blackmailed into finding the identity of a passenger on his train before the last stop. As he works against the clock to solve the puzzle, Michael is unwittingly caught up in a criminal conspiracy that carries life and death stakes for himself and his fellow passengers.

Film Details

• Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
  
  
• Starring: Liam Neeson, Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Sam Neill, Elizabeth McGovern, Jonathan Banks
  
  
• Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
  
  
• Running Time: 104 min.
  
  
• Rating: PG-13 for some intense action/violence, and language
  
  

Critical Reception

• Rottentomatoes: 56% (54 fresh, 43 rotten, score: 5.4/10)
  
• Metacritic: 56 out of 100 (17 positive, 17 mixed, 3 negative).

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PROUD MARY

Official Synopsis

Taraji P. Henson is Mary, a hit woman working for an organized crime family in Boston, whose life is completely turned around when she meets a young boy whose path she crosses when a professional hit goes bad.

Film Details

• Director: Babak Najafi
  
  
• Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Billy Brown, Neal McDonough, Danny Glover, Jahi Di'Allo Winston, Rade Serbedzija , Xander Berkeley
  
  
• Genre: Action, Thriller
  
  
• Running Time: 89 min.
  
  
• Rating: R for violence
  
  

Critical Reception

• Rottentomatoes: 25% (7 fresh, 21 rotten, score: 4.1/10)
  
• Metacritic: 35 out of 100 (1 positive, 9 mixed, 5 negative).

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THE INSULT

Official Synopsis

In today's Beirut, a civilian dispute blown out of proportion finds Tony (Adel Karam), a Lebanese Christian, and Yasser (Kamel El Basha), a Palestinian refugee, facing off in court. As the media circus surrounding the case threatens a social explosion in divided Lebanon, Tony and Yasser reconsider their values and beliefs as revelations of trauma complicate their understanding of one another.

Film Details

• Director: Ziad Doueiri
  
  
• Starring: Adel Karam, Kamel El Basha, Camille Salameh
  
  
• Genre: Drama
  
  
• Running Time: 112 min.
  
  
• Rating: R for language and some violent images
  
  

Critical Reception

• Rottentomatoes: 96% (24 fresh, 1 rotten, score: 7.9/10)
  
• Metacritic: 71 out of 100 (10 positive, 4 mixed, 0 negative).

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