In approaching the comic adventure “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” (Paramount), viewers will likely be expecting to witness more of the hyperkinetic antics that are the trademark of the Sega video game-based characters around whom the franchise is built. What they may not be bargaining for are complex layers of emotional pain.

In the summer of 1939, the plight of a 12-year-old boy competed for headlines across the country with the European political crisis that would soon culminate in the outbreak of World War II. Young Donn Fendler was wandering on his own in the wilds of New England and was facing long odds against his survival.

In the wake of the sudden death of a fictional, unnamed pope (Bruno Novelli), it’s Cardinal Lawrence’s duty – as dean of the college of cardinals – to organise the gathering of the title.

The follow-up to 2019’s “Joker” does give Joaquin Phoenix’s emotionally tortured, homicidal villain a chance to demonstrate his mastery of the great American songbook.

The less-than-compelling psychological thriller AfrAId takes the rise of this phenomenon as its premise but then speculates on its possible downside.

Along the way to a nauseating climactic slaughter spree, Zach Baylin and William Schneider’s script presents viewers with a twisted view of the supernatural.

By John Mulderig Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum star in a scene from the movie “Fly Me to the Moon.” Photo: OSV News/Dan McFadden, Sony. Will the space race-themed romantic comedy Fly Me to the Moon (Columbia) fill moviegoers' hearts with song? Perhaps not, but it is a snappy production with a sharply written script, penned by Rose Gilroy, that's definitely suitable for grown-ups ...

Director and co-writer Fede Alvarez addition to the sci-fi horror saga confronts viewers with both grisly visuals and vulgar dialogue, thus severely restricting this instalment’s appeal.

Maika Monroe plays emotionally withdrawn FBI agent Lee Harker. In the first of many ambiguities built into the plot, early scenes suggest that Lee may — or may not – be clairvoyant.

While moviegoers need not take shelter from this long-distance follow-up – which is only loosely connected to its predecessor – neither will it transport them over the rainbow.