Patch Weekend Movie Guide: 'Patriots Day,' 'Silence,' 'Live By Night'

We have the verdicts on "Patriots Day," "Silence," "Live By Night" 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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"Patriots Day" — Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Monaghan, John Goodman, directed by Peter Berg

Director Peter Berg and Mark Wahlberg team up again after a string of successful collaborations ("Lone Survivor" and "Deepwater Horizon") with this retelling of the Boston Marathon bombings and its confusing aftermath. Bostonian Wahlberg acts his best in stories of his hometown, and his Tommy Saunders serves as a fictional composite of several of the real-life heroes who tracked and arrested the bomber.

The verdict: See it. This director-star duo always offers affecting depictions of real life.

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"Silence" — Andrew Garfield, Liam Neeson, Adam Driver, directed by Martin Scorsese

Martin Scorsese's long-awaited passion project "Silence" finally hits wide release this weekend, and you can bet it will fill some theater seats. It's the story of two Jesuit priests who journey to Japan to find and rescue their mentor (Neeson), though clashing ideologies will be just one of the dangerous hurdles they face. When Scorsese explores the nature of faith, his efforts always produce memorable cinema ("The Last Temptation of Christ" and "Kundun"), and this will certainly be on the Oscar shortlist come February.

The verdict: See it. It may prove a tough, gritty watch, but here's a chance to bear witness to filmmaking at its sharpest.

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"Live By Night" — Ben Affleck, Sienna Miller, Zoe Saldana, directed by Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck directs his fourth feature film ("Argo" being his most recent) with this adaptation of the fantastic 2012 Dennis Lehane novel. Spanning decades, "Night" takes us into a lively criminal underworld of early 20th century bootlegging filled with hardened criminals, femmes fatale, gunfire aplenty, and yes, star-crossed love.

The verdict: See it. Early word has been less than complementary, but based on the power of the novel alone, I say give it your full attention.

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Quick Cuts

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"Monster Trucks" (Wide Release) — Lucas Till, Amy Ryan, Barry Pepper, directed by Chris Wedge

Skip it: If you want to get the kids out of the house this weekend, "Monster Trucks" is your only option. But this tale of a young man, his truck and a kindly monster is entirely forgettable.

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"Sleepless" (Wide Release) — Jamie Foxx, Michelle Monaghan, Dermot Mulroney, directed by Baran bo Odar

Skip it: This ho-hum story of a cop going undercover in a nightclub to find his son is an example of the typical January-to-March movie lull when studios purge their weakest offerings.

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"The Bye Bye Man" (Wide Release) — Douglas Smith, Cressida Bonas, Lucien Laviscount, directed by Stacy Title

Skip it: Another rogue horror film finds teens combating an urban legend that infects the minds of its victims and results in mass killing sprees — ugh. Seek elsewhere for your scares.

Until next week folks, save me a seat!

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Watch the trailer for "Patriots Day"

Watch the trailer for "Silence"

Photo credit: Fresh Movie Trailers via YouTube