In Theaters: BLACK PANTHER, EARLY MAN, SAMSON and THE PARTY

This week in theaters we have the highly anticipated Marvel film "Black Panther", the prehistoric stop-motion animated film "Early Man" and the biblical saga "Samson". In limited release, you should check out the dramedy "The Party" starring Patricia Clarkson and Kristin Scott Thomas".

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

BLACK PANTHER

Official Synopsis

"Black Panther" follows T'Challa who, after the events of "Captain America: Civil War," returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to take his place as King. However, when an old enemy reappears on the radar, T'Challa's mettle as King and Black Panther is tested when he is drawn into a conflict that puts the entire fate of Wakanda and the world at risk.

Film Details

• Director: Ryan Coogler
  
  
• Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Sterling K. Brown, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Andy Serkis
  
  
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
  
  
• Running Time: 134 min.
  
  
• Rating: PG-13
  
  

Critical Reception

• Rottentomatoes: 97% (276 fresh, 9 rotten, score: 8.2/10)
  
• Metacritic: 88 out of 100 (53 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative).

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EARLY MAN

Official Synopsis

In this stop-motion animated comedy set in prehistoric times, a tribe of primitive hunters are displaced from their homes by emissaries from a distant empire that has mastered bronze-making. However, a tribesman named Dug (voice of Eddie Redmayne) tries to win his home back by challenging the invaders to a game of soccer. Directed by Nick Park, best known as the creator of the beloved animated duo Wallace and Gromit. Tom Hiddleston, Maisie Williams, Timothy Spall, and Richard Ayoade also lend their voices.

Film Details

• Director: Nick Park
  
  
• Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Eddie Redmayne, Maisie Williams, Timothy Spall, Richard Ayoade, Miriam Margolyes,
  
  
• Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
  
  
• Running Time: 89 min.
  
  
• Rating: PG for rude humor and some action
  
  

Critical Reception

• Rottentomatoes: 81% (94 fresh, 22 rotten, score: 6.7/10)
  
• Metacritic: 68 out of 100 (29 positive, 8 mixed, 0 negative).

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SAMSON

Official Synopsis

SAMSON is based on the powerful, biblical epic of a champion chosen by God to deliver Israel. His supernatural strength and impulsive decisions quickly pit him against the oppressive Philistine empire. After being betrayed by a wicked prince and a beautiful temptress, Samson is captured and blinded by his enemies. Samson calls upon his God once more for supernatural strength and turns imprisonment and blindness into final victory.

Film Details

• Director: Bruce Macdonald, Gabriel Sabloff
  
  
• Starring: Jackson Rathbone, Billy Zane, Taylor James, Rutger Hauer, Caitlin Leahy, Lindsay Wagner
  
  
• Genre: Action, Drama
  
  
• Running Time: 110 min.
  
  
• Rating: PG-13 for violence and battle sequences
  
  

Critical Reception

• Rottentomatoes: 20% (2 fresh, 8 rotten, score: 4.7/10)
  
• Metacritic: 18 out of 100 (0 positive, 0 mixed, 5 negative).

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THE PARTY

Official Synopsis

In Sally Potter's new dark comedy THE PARTY, Janet (Kristin Scott Thomas) is hosting an intimate gathering of friends in her London home to celebrate her political ascension, while her husband, Bill (Timothy Spall), seems preoccupied. Janet's acerbic best friend, April (Patricia Clarkson), arrives and others follow, some with their own dramatic news to share, but an announcement by Bill provokes a series of revelations that gradually unravel the sophisticated soiree, and a night that began with champagne may end with gunplay.

Film Details

• Director: Sally Potter
  
  
• Starring: Timothy Spall, Kristin Scott Thomas, Patricia Clarkson, Bruno Ganz, Cherry Jones, Emily Mortimer and Cillian Murphy
  
  
• Genre: Comedy, Drama
  
  
• Running Time: 111 min.
  
  
• Rating: R for Language and Drug Use
  
  

Critical Reception

• Rottentomatoes: 85% (52 fresh, 9 rotten, score: 7.1/10)
  
• Metacritic: 73 out of 100 (19 positive, 2 mixed, 0 negative).

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