(Posted Monday) Peter Jackson’s overblown adaptation of J.R.R Tolkien’s children’s novel “The Hobbit” has drawn a lot of commentary. But whatever you think of what Jackson has put on the screen, you might be interested in knowing that the final chapter, “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies,” will be arriving in area theaters on Wednesday. Friday’s openings are as follows:

“Wild”: Reese Witherspoon stars in director  Jean-Marc Vallée’s adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s memoir about a woman who hikes the Pacific Crest Trail for emotional therapy. Maybe just seeing the movie will provide all the solace I need.

“Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb”: Museum employee Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) must collect a band of helpers to save things when the magic powers of The Tablet of Ahkmenrah begin to die out. No, Burt Wonderstone isn’t needed.

“Annie”: Quevzhané Wallis (“Beasts of the Southern Wild”) stars in the title role of the little comic-strip character brought to the big screen. If you don’t like the movie, don’t fret: The sun’ll come out tomorrow.

“Top Five”: Chris Rock stars as a comedian who seems to have lost the ability to be funny. Kevin Hart, take note.

So go to the movies. And enjoy.

Dan Webster

Horror and reruns

(Posted Tuesday) Other than the mainstream openings, we can always – well, usually – depend on the Magic Lantern to open films that are … mmm, a bit more challenging. In addition to second runs of “My Old Lady,” “The Skeleton Twins” and “Elsa & Fred,” the Lantern has a solo first-run opening. 

“The Babadook”: Following her husband’s death, a single mother has to cope with her young son’s fears of what she thinks – thinks, mind you – is an imaginary monster. As the reviewer for Empire magazine wrote, “One of the strongest, most effective horror films of recent years – with awards-quality lead work from Essie Davis, and a brilliantly designed new monster who could well become the break-out spook archetype of the decade.” Yow.

Dan Webster