Patch Weekend Movie Guide: 'Hidden Figures,' 'A Monster Calls' and More

We've got the verdict on "Hidden Figures," "A Monster Calls," "Underworld: Blood Wars" and more. Find out what to see and what to skip, plus check out the trailers.

Opening This Weekend

"Hidden Figures" — Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Kevin Costner, directed by Theodore Melfi

"Figures" takes us back to the 1950s when NASA relied on human calculators instead of computers. Taraji P. Henson plays real-life Katherine Johnson, an African-American math savant in a segregated world whose contributions enabled John Glenn's first orbit of Earth. Layers of innocent Hollywood schmaltz will warm your winter blues in this second feature film from director Melfi ("St. Vincent").

The verdict: See it. "Figures" is an inspiring, female-centric story for the whole family and a fitting sendoff to the recently departed John Glenn.

"A Monster Calls" — Lewis MacDougall, Liam Neeson, Sigourney Weaver, directed by J.A. Bayona

Based on Patrick Ness' children's fantasy novel, "A Monster Calls" joins the ranks of recent coming-of-age stories paired with supernatural elements — think "The B.F.G." and "Fantastic Beasts." It's the story of a young boy coping with an ailing mother and the unjustness of adolescence who gets help from a monster in the form of a giant tree (Liam Neeson). This one will test your ability to keep your tear ducts under control.

The verdict: See it. A great one for the kids and anyone who's struggled with loss. So, everyone.

"Underworld: Blood Wars" — Kate Beckinsale, Theo James, Charles Dance, directed by Anna Foerster

The final entry in the long-running vampire-and-werewolf saga, "Blood Wars" finds Beckinsale's Selene with few allies and more enemies than ever on her quest to end the Lycan-Vampire battle once and for all... yada, yada, yada. If you're like me and stuck with this popcorn fluff since the first one, you'll be gleefully and guiltily wrapping up the series in style at the theater. But anyone who is not already a fan of the series will want to stay far away.

The verdict: Skip it if you're not an "Underworld" fan. It's too late to catch up, so catch another flick this weekend.

Quick Cuts

"Paterson" (Limited Release) — Adam Driver, Sienna Miller, Zoe Saldana, directed by Jim Jarmusch

See it: Trusted indie ambassador Jim Jarmusch ("Only Lovers Left Alive" and "Broken Flowers") directs another deeply understated film, this time about a struggling poet who drives a bus in Paterson, New Jersey.

"20th Century Women" (Limited Release) — Annette Bening, Elle Fanning, Greta Gerwig, directed by Mike Mills

See it: After several quiet years, Annette Bening flexes her talents in this comedy-drama about a single mother raising her son with the help of two female friends. If you liked Mike Mills' last feature directorial effort, "Beginners," this is a safe bet.

"Blair Witch" (Home Video) — James Allen McCune, Callie Hernandez, directed by Adam Wingard

Skip it: Adam Wingard is a filmmaker of many talents, but this "continuation" of the Blair Witch mythology is just a technologically heavy update of the creepy original.

Watch the trailer for "Hidden Figures"

Watch the trailer for "A Monster Calls"

Photo credit: TopNewTrailers via YouTube