Holiday Weekend Movie Guide: 'Passengers,' 'Assassin's Creed,' 'Sing'

We have the verdict on "Passengers," "Assassin's Creed," "Sing," and more. Find out what to see and what to skip, plus check out the trailers.

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Opening This Weekend

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"Passengers" — Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt, Michael Sheen, directed by Morten Tyldum

Two of today's most bankable stars, Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt collide in this weekend's large-scale marquee release. In "Passengers" a generational spaceship hurtles towards a new home for humanity, but two inhabitants wake a century too early without a way to re-enter themselves into cryo-sleep. Doomed to live their days in the ship's solitude, they find that there may be an ultimate purpose to their awakening.

The verdict: See it. Serious chemistry between Pratt and Lawrence is a safe bet and worth a ticket.

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"Assassin's Creed" — Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons, directed by Justin Kurzel

Hoping to break the mold of forgettable video game adaptions, "Assassin's Creed" finds the talented Michael Fassbender playing dual roles as an ancestor and modern day assassin tasked with combating a timeless secret society. Leaps from very tall buildings and CGI thrills try to hide the thin plot, but don't quite do it.

The verdict: Skip it. "Assassin's" is best saved for where the video game is played: the couch.

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"Sing" — Reese Witherspoon, Matthew McConaughey, John C. Reilly, directed by Garth Jennings, Christophe Lourdelet

"Zootopia" meets "American Idol" in this story of a koala who's trying to keep his showbiz dreams alive. "Sing" will charm the kiddos with a soundtrack packed full of pop songs of yesteryear and today. The film comes from the same studio that brought us "Despicable Me," "Minions," and "Secret Life of Pets," so quality is assured.

The verdict: See it. If you're taking the little ones to the movies this holiday weekend, "Sing" away.

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"Fences" — Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Jovan Davis, directed by Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington returns from a nine-year directing hiatus to helm and star in this revival of August Wilson's award-winning play, "Fences." Washington plays Troy Maxson, an African American father struggling with reconciliation of dream and reality for his family in the 1950's. This adaptation will offer exceptional acting and ripe emotional payoff.

The verdict: See it. If you're seeking less noise and more potent drama this weekend, seek out "Fences."

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Quick Cuts

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"Why Him?" — Bryan Cranston, James Franco, Zoey Deutch, directed by John Hamburg

Skip it: It's nice to see Bryan Cranston headlining a feature comedy, but you've seen this tired premise before: disapproving father learns to love his daughter's "bad boy" boyfriend. Yet, as this week's only comedy opening, it may be your only option for an easy laugh.

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"Live by Night" (Limited Release) — Ben Affleck, Sienna Miller, Zoe Saldana, directed by Ben Affleck

See it: If Ben Affleck succeeds to bring enough of this novel by author Dennis Lehane ("Mystic River" and "Shutter Island") to the big screen, "Night" will make for a sweeping, gritty, and heartbreaking American crime story that will knock your socks off.

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"Silence" (Limited Release) — Andrew Garfield, Liam Neeson, Adam Driver, directed by Martin Scorsese

See it: Anything Martin Scorsese touches is cause for celebration, so grab a ticket to this adaptation of the 1966 Japanese novel that follows two Portuguese Catholic priests on a dangerous, unwelcome mission in a foreign land.

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Watch the trailer for "Passengers"

Watch the trailer for "Assassin's Creed"

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Photo credit: FilmTrailerZone via YouTube