Patch Weekend Movie Guide: 'The Lego Batman Movie,' 'Fifty Shades Darker,' 'John Wick 2'

Here's what you need to know about this weekend's new movies: "Fifty Shades Darker," "John Wick 2," "The Lego Batman Movie" and more. Find out what to see and what to skip, plus check out the trailers.

Opening This Weekend

"John Wick: Chapter 2" — Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Ruby Rose, directed by Chad Stahelski

I arrived late to the "John Wick" party, but what a party it is. The first film saw Wick seeking vengeance on the Russian mob after their mistake cost him his dog and car (on the day of his wife's passing nonetheless). Wrong move on their part. Early word says "Chapter 2" continues upon the surprising successes of the original, which boasted its own delightfully peculiar version of New York.

See it: If you like action, you won't find it done better these days.

"Fifty Shades Darker" — Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, directed by James Foley

The sequel to "Fifty Shades of Grey" arrives in time for Valentine's Day aiming to please fans of the novels and newcomers impressed by the first entry. I'm in neither camp, so take my advice with a grain of salt, but I smell another quickly cobbled together adaptation trying to capitalize on a successful book franchise. Chemistry between lead actors is paramount with these kinds of movies, and I'm afraid there isn't enough to keep this afloat.

Skip it: I genuinely think "John Wick 2" will be a more romantic Valentine's option than this.

"The Lego Batman Movie" — Will Arnett, Rosario Dawson, Michael Cera, directed by Chris McKay

The original "Lego Movie" could not have been better, and if you have kids, I’ve got a feeling you're just now getting the song "Everything Is Awesome" out of your head. A highlight from the first film gets the spinoff treatment in "The Lego Batman Movie," the Will Arnett-voiced Batman. This Bruce Wayne is a lighter take on the Dark Knight with his blissfully unaware and charmingly hilarious persona.

See it: Grab the kids and go see this. Twice.

Quick Cuts

"A United Kingdom" (Limited Release) — David Oyelowo, Rosamund Pike, directed by Amma Assante

See it: Echoes of the recent "Loving" may ripple through "A United Kingdom," but this is another well-cast true story worth seeing. The King of Botswana and his British fiancée struggle with opposition by institutional racism and within the couple's own families.

Netflix Picks

"No Country for Old Men" (2007) — A crime-thriller about a good-natured Texas welder who happens upon a dangerous bag of money, "Country" is a time capsule-worthy American gem about self-determination and fate. Don’t let its weightiness scare you off — it's (sometimes) as funny as it is terrifying.

"Into the Inferno" (2016) — If you can picture a documentary about volcanoes that feels hypnotizing, then you can imagine the latest film from the great Werner Herzog. This is a fascinating, informative documentary loaded with stunning visuals and Herzog's customary wry, perceptive narration.

Watch the trailer for "John Wick: Chapter 2"

Watch the trailer for "Fifty Shades Darker"

Watch the trailer for "The Lego Batman Movie"

Photo credit: Top 10 Movies via YouTube