DREW'S REVIEWS   

NOAH (PG-13) Noah may be the strangest blockbuster since Ang Lee’s Hulk. Fortunately, the new biblical epic is more successful. It also isn’t your Chuck Heston biblical epic. Russell Crowe (no actor is more comfortable in the past than this guy) effectively grimaces and growls as the man chosen by the Creator to save the animal kingdom from a world-cleansing flood in Darren Aronofsky’s foreboding take on this beloved children’s bible story. Opening with a summary emphasizing the mythic, Noah establishes a harsh, sci-fi pre-apocalypse for Noah and his family—wife Naameh (Jennifer Connelly) and sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth. After a visit with his ancient grandfather, Methuselah (Anthony Hopkins giving good Yoda), Noah begins a decade-long task of building his ark, while giant stone creatures (one recognizably voiced by Nick Nolte) protect his family from the evil men led by Tubal-cain (Ray Winstone). When the flood epically arrives amidst a massive Lord of the Rings battle, an hour remains to reveal what happens when one family’s cruise goes way too long. As expected, Aronofsky visually stuns, but his film’s most insidious brilliance might be how fantastically fanciful it makes this ancient tale.

SABOTAGE (R) Sabotage is not as affecting as David Ayer’s previous film, End of Watch. However, it is the first of Ah-nuld’s comeback movies to prove the former superstar still has relevance. As DEA legend John “Breacher” Wharton, Arnold Schwarzenegger gets to play a character that’s not just a nostalgic play on his '80s persona (i.e. The Last Stand, Escape Plan and both Expendables). Wharton is the cigar-chomping leader of the DEA’s best bunch of badasses (Sam Worthington, Terrence Howard, Joe Manganiello, Josh Holloway and Mireille Enos). How do you know? They have tough G.I. Joe code names like “Monster” and “Grinder.” That and they go to strip clubs to drink and fight when they’re not laser-focused on hunting cartels. Ayer has developed his flair for the modern tough cop since Training Day. Sabotage may overdo the brutality and the blood, but it has some entertaining cult credentials beyond Schwarzenegger. Enos (“The Killing”) gifts a truly nutty performance as the team’s lone woman whose screws loosen in each scene. Even after umpteen Atlanta-based Tyler Perry flicks, seeing the state capital on the big screen still momentarily thrills. Sabotage may not hit it big, but this action flick is far from generically forgettable.

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AFFLICTED (R) A hybridization of Chronicle and a zombie flick, Afflicted has generated some serious buzz on the horror circuit. Two friends (filmmakers Derek Lee and Clif Prowse) are on a once in a lifetime trip when one of the men comes down with a mysterious, powerful condition. Now their travelogue becomes a record of the race to save a life. Afflicted won the Best Picture prize at Austin Fantastic Fest and the Best Canadian First Feature–Special Jury Citation Film at the Toronto International Film Festival.

ALAN PARTRIDGE (R) Steve Coogan’s television alter ego, Alan Partridge, gets the big screen treatment. The takeover of former TV personality Partridge’s current home, a small town radio station, somehow leads to a violent siege with Partridge at the middle. I’m intrigued by anything featuring Coogan. Fortunately, the trailer promises a flick better than what it seems to be, a mid-'90s expansion of an SNL sketch. With Colm Meaney (don’t act like you don’t know Chief Miles O’Brien of the Starship Enterprise). 

AMERICAN HUSTLE (R) This fictional account of the real life ABSCAM investigation that sent several members of federal, state and local government to prison was nominated for ten Academy Awards. Conman Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) and his not exactly British girlfriend, Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams), are forced by an unstable FBI agent, Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper), into conning the mayor of Camden, New Jersey (Jeremy Renner). Russell has proven an uncanny ability to take a great cast and make them greater. American Hustle is a film made for ensemble cast awards; picking one standout is nearly impossible. Go see it. (Ciné)

BAD WORDS (R) Jason Bateman makes his feature directing debut in a role seemingly written for him by first-time screenwriter Andrew Dodge. Spelling bee loser Guy Trilby (Bateman) uses a loophole—he never made it past the eighth grade—to exact revenge by winning the bee as an adult. Along the way, he befriends the friendless Chaitanya Chopra (Rohan Chand, Jack and Jill). With Kathryn Hahn, Phillip Baker Hall, Allison Janney, Mr. Melissa McCarthy, Ben Falcone, and Mrs. Jason Bateman, Amanda Anka.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER (PG-13) Chris Evans’ Captain America, aka Steve Rogers, continues to adjust to life in post-WWII America and must battle a new enemy, the Soviet agent known as the Winter Soldier. Unfortunately for Cap, his new enemy is an old friend, Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan). Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson reprise their roles as Black Widow and Nick Fury, respectively. A role for Robert Redford and new directors, Anthony and Joe Russo (“Community” executive producers), plus several strong trailers, raise the excitement level. 

CESAR CHAVEZ (PG-13) The biographical film stars Michael Peña as the Latino American Civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers association with Dolores Huerta, played by Rosario Dawson. The film touches on some of the organization's non-violent campaigns such as the Delano Grape strike. John Malkovich plays an owner of a large grape farm who counterattacks Chavez and the workers' boycott.

DIVERGENT (PG-13) Hunger Games comparisons are inevitable. While Veronica Roth’s book loses the head-to-head against Suzanne Collins’ bestseller, Neil Burger’s filmed adaptation might best Gary Ross’ original Games. In a dystopian future Chicago, humanity is divided into five factions. Right before Beatrice Prior (Shailene Woodley) is to choose the faction in which she’ll spend the rest of her life, the teenager learns she is Divergent, whatever that means. Tris, as she chooses to be called, selects Dauntless, the faction most appealing to teens as they spend most of their time yelling and jumping from trains. Oh yeah, they’re civilization’s soldiers too. After a grueling initiation during which she makes a love connection with the studly instructor, Four (Theo James), Tris learns her perfect society and all Divergents are under attack. The movie distills 500 pages of plot into a pretty decent two-plus-hour flick as scripters Evan Daugherty and Vanessa Taylor smartly eschew Tris’ inner monologues, save for her opening and closing thoughts. Burger excels at sci-fi (see Limitless) and the casting is spot on. Woodley’s the most believably unsure YA heroine seen on the big screen, and James increases Four’s appeal from the page. Bring on Insurgent.

DOM HEMINGWAY (R) Remember The Matador or The Hunting Party? I didn’t really either, but they were the last two features from director Richard Shepard. His latest stars Jude Law as recently-released safecracker Dom Hemingway. Looking for what he’s owed, Hemingway eventually settles on reconnecting with his estranged daughter (Emilia Clarke from HBO’s excellent “Game of Thrones”). Law’s old enough to play Clarke’s dad? Wow. With Richard E. Grant (recently seen on HBO’s “Girls”) and Academy Award nominee Demian Bichir.

FRESH LOOK CHILDREN’S INTL FILM FESTIVAL The fifth edition of the “Fresh Look” Athens International Film Festival for Children and Youth includes animation, documentaries and fiction films to introduce youngsters to the world of international independent cinema. The screenings on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3:15 p.m. are recommended for ages 5 and up; the screening on Saturday at 3:15 p.m. is recommended for ages 11 and up. The lineup of films come from Argentina, Belgium, Canada, England, Estonia, France, Germany, Latvia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA. Part of Ciné’s seventh anniversary celebration. (Ciné)

GIMME SHELTER (R) 1970. The classic Rolling Stones rock doc chronicles the band’s infamous 1969 U.S. tour, including the deadly show at Altamont. David and Albert Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin’s film is considered by many to be the greatest rock film of all time. Music journalist Stanley Booth, who is interviewed in the film, recently relocated to Athens and will participate in a book signing and discussion. A catered reception will precede the film, and the party continues afterward with live music at Little Kings Club. Part of Ciné’s seventh anniversary celebration. (Ciné)

GLORIA (R) 2013. Chile’s official entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 86th Academy Awards, Gloria stars Paulina Garcia as an older single woman who feels younger than her age. When a new relationship with an older gentleman goes wrong, Gloria finds a newfound inner strength. Filmmaker Sebastian Lelio’s film won several international awards and was nominated for the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival, where Garcia went home with the Silver Bear for Best Actress. (Ciné)

GOD’S NOT DEAD (PG) In this Christian feature, a college student, Josh Wheaton (Shane Harper, “Good Luck Charlie”), has his faith challenged by a philosophy professor (Kevin Sorbo, best known as TV’s Hercules) who does not believe in the existence of God. TV’s Superman, Dean Cain, costars, while Christian popsters Newsboys and two of “Duck Dynasty”’s Robertsons, Willie and Korie, provide cameos. Director Harold Cronk’s three previous features (Ever heard of The Adventures of Mickey Matson and the Copperhead Treasure? Me neither.) sound pretty small screen.

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (R) Wes Anderson’s latest stars Ralph Fiennes as Gustave H, legendary concierge at the famous hotel, who memorably mentors lobby boy, Zero Moustafa (Tony Revolori, The Perfect Game). The cast is huge—F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalic, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Jude Law, Harvey Keitel, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Saoirse Ronan, Jason Schwartzman, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson and Owen Wilson—and the trailer entertaining in the most Anderson of manners. Hopes are up for this film after Moonrise Kingdom. Part of Ciné’s seventh anniversary celebration. (Ciné)

HER (R) 2013. Her stars a really nice, mild-mannered Joaquin Phoenix as Theodore Twombly. Ted writes personal letters for strangers and is struggling through a divorce. Then he meets his new Operating System and falls in love…with the OS. Scarlett Johannson voices the OS, Samantha, so the concept isn’t THAT outlandish. The film is mostly Phoenix interacting with Johannson’s voice. Sometimes an unmade Amy Adams pops by to again verify her brilliance. While Phoenix and ScarJo incredibly do their thing, Jonze and his behind the scenes folk drip visual magic into audience eyes with their retro-future design. This film is unreservedly wonderful. (Ciné)

THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (PG-13) Peter Jackson’s first return to Middle-earth, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, did not disappoint, even if it failed to excite like The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The second Hobbit feature still feels hobbled by a feeling of déjà vu. Armies of orcs marching to war or battles against giant killer spiders are nothing new. But when Jackson takes us to new locales like Lake Town at the foot of the Lonely Mountain, where mammoth dragon Smaug (v. Benedict Cumberbatch) resides, the epic fantasy film reaches toward those heights of its predecessor. The return of Legolas (Orlando Bloom) does not hurt nor does the first appearance of the lovely elven warrior, Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly, best known as Kate from “Lost”). The river barrel ride that acts as the film’s highlight action set piece is spectacular, except for moments of poor FX so uncharacteristic of Jackson or the Weta digital effects house. Smaug, though, is a wonder, a massive work of CGI art. The climactic, fiery escape from the Lonely Mountain leaves the audience breathless, eager for the final installment, There and Back Again, due next December.

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE (PG-13) The Hunger Games returns, and its sequel, while more a formality setting up the series’ final, revolutionary entry, improves upon an original that was more of a visual book report than an exciting cinematic adaptation. (Original director Gary Ross’ absence was addition by subtraction.) After surviving the 74th Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) are the Capitol’s newest celebrities. But all is not well in the Districts, and creepy President Snow (Donald Sutherland, who I’ve only just noticed resembles Sid Haig) lets Katniss know it by putting her back in the next year’s Games. New director Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend) paces the film better once we escape District 12 (every scene in it is so drab and boring), and the Quarter Quell is excitingly envisioned with deadly fog, killer monkeys and fun new faces like Finnick (a key new role well played by Sam Claflin) and Johanna (Jena Malone). Largely dismissed as repetitive upon the novel’s release, the underrated Catching Fire successfully adds more wrinkles to the Suzanne Collins’ formula than its more straightforward predecessor. However, it’s about time Katniss take more charge of her situation, a flaw hopefully remedied by the franchise finale, Mockingjay.

ISLAND OF LEMURS: MADAGASCAR (G) Though a little early for Earth Day, this IMAX nature doc, narrated by Morgan Freeman (who else?), follows the lemurs that reside on Madagascar. The trailer promises lots of silly Lemur antics. Director David Douglas is no stranger to IMAX, having last directed Born to Be Wild, as well as At the Max (a Rolling Stones concert film), Fires of Kuwait, Survival Island, Wolves and, my favorite by title alone, Straight Up: Helicopters in Action.

THE LEGO MOVIE (PG) The LEGO Movie is most certainly the young year’s best new, wide release. The intricate, interconnected universes built by writing-directing duo Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and 21 Jump Street) have an age-defying Muppets-like appeal. When generic construction mini-figure Emmet (v. Chris Pratt, who is so devilishly appealing) gets up in the morning, he follows the day’s instructions as handed down by president/overlord Business (v. Will Ferrell). Soon, Emmet gets involved with a Matrix-ian rebel group led by Vitruvius (v. Morgan Freeman), a pretty mini-fig who goes by Wildstyle (v. Elizabeth Banks) and her BF, Batman (v. Will Arnett). The LEGO Movie uses its licenses (D.C., Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings) smartly as it argues for the salvation of creativity. A movie made from the toy that frees the childhood (and adult) imagination has to stay on its toes in order not to diminish the property. This film, which should battle for the year’s best animated film come the next awards cycle, reconstructs the greatest childhood movie memories from the building blocks that best defined the young and not-yet-so-old generation.

MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (PG) Mr. Peabody and Sherman get much better feature film treatment than their cartoon pals Rocky and Bullwinkle. The super smart canine, Mr. Peabody (v. Ty Burrell, "Modern Family"), and his adopted son, Sherman (v. Max Charles, young Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man), travel back in time via Peabody's WABAC machine. The duo meet Marie Antoinette, King Tut, Leonardo da Vinci (v. Stanley Tucci), Mona Lisa (v. Lake Bell) and other historical luminaries as they try to right the wrongs  perpetrated against the space-time continuum. Burrell keeps Peabody as punny as ever, and kids will relate to Sherman's childish, lesson-teaching mistakes. The historical gags are a hit, though the dramatic narrative is structured too familiarly. And who is the target demo, kids who have never heard of these classic cartoons or the adults bound to be at least a little disappointed by the newfangled incarnations of their childhood faves? Trying to please both might not fully please either. Nonetheless, 2014 will see worse kids movies than Mr. Peabody & Sherman.

MUPPETS MOST WANTED (PG) The Muppets return with lots of celebrity friends (Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey and Ty Burrell have top billing)! When Kermit the Frog is mistaken for lookalike master criminal Constantine and imprisoned, the remainder of the troupe has to figure out how to stop a jewel heist. Interestingly, this Muppet sequel shares some narrative DNA with original Muppet Movie follow-up, The Great Muppet Caper. The Muppets (2011) director James Bobin returns; writer-producer-star Jason Segel does not.

NEED FOR SPEED (PG-13) Whether the moviegoing world wanted one or not, Fast & Furious now has a competitor in outlandish car-chase franchises. Need for Speed, based on the Electronic Arts series of racing videogames, stars Aaron Paul in his first major headlining gig post-“Breaking Bad,” and it’s fast enough to win the box office race, if nothing else. The way-too-generously plotted movie takes a while to reach its top speed as small town race car driver Tobey Marshall (Paul) establishes his bonafides. Once released from prison for a crime for which he was only tangentially responsible, Tobey drives his way into an exclusive underground race called the Deleon, mostly to seek revenge against real bad guy, professional race car driver Dino Brewster (Dominic Cooper). But who am I kidding, wasting so much space on a plot synopsis? What potential viewers of Need for Speed need to know is the cars are fast, exotic and well shot by director Scott Waugh (Act of Valor). Paul also proves capable as a leading man, and Michael Keaton continues his fun 2014 renaissance. Sure, the movie’s too long, but it’s a solid racing adventure that happens to be adapted from a videogame.

NON-STOP (PG-13) Maybe the Liam Neeson Action Star franchise isn’t dead yet. In his latest portrayal of the deadliest daddy ever, Neeson stars as Bill Marks, a U.S. Air Marshal receiving threatening texts “on a secure network” (oooh) demanding $150 million, or someone will die every 20 minutes. Neeson is joined by a big-name co-star, Julianne Moore, and several recognizable bit players like Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o, Michelle “Lady Mary” Dockery and Scoot McNairy; however, the real co-star is the claustrophobic, transparent setting. Besides the lavatories and the cockpit, everything takes place in the various cabins of the transatlantic flight. (None of that cargo-hold crap resorted to by other plane-trapped protagonists.) A more than serviceable whodunit, Non-Stop should please the millions of mystery fans as well as those moviegoers feeling there are more asses Neeson needs to kick. As usual, the reveal is never as clever as the setup, but the tense first two acts are filling if not fulfilling. Marks could be a more pleasant protag with whom to spend two hours. Fortunately, the movie rarely slows down enough for Marks’ authoritarian abuses to outrage. I wonder if this flick will get shown on many future flights.

THE NUT JOB (PG) The latest animated feature (it seems as if there are so many nowadays) pits a curmudgeonly squirrel named (a bit on the nose) Surly (v. Will Arnett) against the city. When he finds Maury’s Nut Store, he may just have found the way to alleviate his and the rest of his park community’s winter worries. Brendan Fraser, Liam Neeson and Katherine Heigl are the next three biggest names in the voice cast. Will this movie capture its family audience without a big name like Disney or DreamWorks behind it?

NYMPHOMANIAC: VOL. II You’ve read all of the controversy, more thanks to Shia LaBeouf than usual firebrand filmmaker Lars von Trier; now see the rest of the film. Charlotte Gainsbourg (von Trier’s last controversially sexual film, Antichrist) stars as Joe, the titular nymphomaniac, who recounts her erotic life from birth to age 50 to old Seligman (Stellan Skarsgard). Newcomer Stacy Martin plays the young Joe. Vol. II is the final installment. With Christian Slater, Jamie Bell, Uma Thurman, Willem Dafoe, Connie Nielsen and Udo Kier.

SON OF GOD (PG-13) At least The Passion of the Christ was a feature film and Mel Gibson a decorated (if now crazed) filmmaker. Son of God is cobbled together from the Jesus sequences (plus more!) from the History Channel miniseries, “The Bible,” and its slightly ethnic unknown actors do not benefit from the big screen treatment. The only debatably recognizable face is that of producer Roma Downey (“Touched by an Angel”), who plays Mary, Mother of Jesus. Portuguese-born Diogo Morgado is a photogenic Savior with a nice smile; he recedes into Christly caricature during the climactic imprisonment and crucifixion. An obvious cash grab by “Survivor” producer Mark Burnett (Downey’s husband), Son of God merely takes advantage of an audience hungry for faith-based films (see the success of the releases from Albany’s Sherwood Pictures) by repackaging previously seen material with a few new scenes, none of them worth the price of admission. Minus a whit of believer’s passion, this film simply retells the greatest story ever told like a Greatest Hits of Jesus compilation. Most viewers will have heard this tale told before and better.

300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (R) More of a companion film than a sequel or prequel, 300: Rise of an Empire is better than the rest of the post-300 wannabes (The Immortals, Clash/Wrath of the Titans). Happening concurrently with the beautiful death of the abs of Sparta's King Leonidas, 300:RoaE finds a new, Athenian hero in Themistocles (Sullivan Stapleton). He must battle with god-king Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and his gorgeous naval commander, Artemesia (Eva Green, Casino Royale), if Greek society is to survive. Though Zack Snyder isn't around to direct, the script he cowrote allows new helmer Noam Murro (Smart People) to craft a stylistically similar movie. In other words, the entire movie looks like an extended video game cutscene. Outside of its gorgeous, violent visuals, 300 Again makes less of an impression, and its predecessor hasn't exactly mirrored Greece for cultural legacy. Stapleton is no Gerard Butler, and none of the supporters are going to be the next Michael Fassbender. No one will remember the events of More 300 hundreds of minutes later, but it's digital bloody fun for two hours.

TYLER PERRY'S THE SINGLE MOMS CLUB (PG-13) Tyler Perry returns with a new flick. Five struggling single moms bond and help each other through the tough times through sisterhood. The cast features lots of familiar faces, including Nia Long (last seen in The Best Man Holiday), Wendi McLendon-Covey (“Reno 911!”), Amy Smart, Terry Crews, Eddie “Mr. LeAnn Rimes” Cibrian and Perry, of course. This Perry feature has struggled more to find its audience than any Perry movie since his second, Daddy’s Little Girls.

THE STRANGER 1946. The Georgia Museum of Art accompanies their “Art Interrupted: Advancing American Art and the Politics of Cultural Diplomacy” exhibit with Orson Welles’ 1946 film noir about a member of the War Crimes Commission (the inimitable Edward G. Robinson) seeking an infamous Nazi hiding in Harper, Connecticut. Welles costars, along with Academy Award winner Loretta Young (The Farmer’s Daughter). Of the three credited writers, Victor Trivas alone was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Story. (Georgia Museum of Art)

UNDER THE SKIN (R) An intriguing guerrilla, science fiction feature from filmmaker Jonathan Glazer (Sexy Beast and Birth), Under the Skin stars Scarlett Johansson as an alien preying on Scottish hitchhikers. Allegedly, ScarJo actually picked up and filmed several real hitchers with hidden cameras. First-time screenwriter Walter Campbell adapted the novel by Michel Faber, best known for The Crimson Petal and the White. Nominated for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival as well the Best Film prize at the London Film Festival.

VERONICA MARS (PG-13) Having devoutly watched all three seasons, I love the Kickstarter-funded big screen case solved by Kristen Bell’s Veronica Mars as the fan service it most certainly is. Veronica returns to Neptune to help former boyfriend Logan Echolls (Jason Dohring) beat a murder rap and reunite with old friends (Wallace and Mac, naturally) and an enemy (Madison, grrr) at her high school reunion. Series creator Rob Thomas wrote and directed a solid feature debut with a compelling central mystery. Marshmallows missing Veronica’s sharp tongue and one of television’s greatest father-daughter relationships (Enrico Colantoni’s Keith Mars is simply the best) can rejoice. Everyone else, welcome to Neptune. (Ciné)

WHO CARES ABOUT KELSEY? 2012. Kelsey Carroll failed to receive a single academic credit during her freshman year and was caught dealing drugs. Thanks to Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and a planning program called RENEW, she turned it around. Filmmaker Dan Habib’s documentary follows Kelsey through the ups and downs of her senior year. This free screening is sponsored by the UGA School Counseling Program, UGA Office of Service Learning, Rutland Academy, The Cottage/Child Advocacy Center, Nuci's Space and Empowered Youth Programs.

THE WIND RISES (PG) Hayao Miyazaki has threatened that this will be his final film. We will see. Fortunately, we will also see The Wind Rises, a fictionalized biopic of Jiro Hirokoshi, who designed the aircraft flown by the Empire of Japan in World War II. The English voice cast is as good as usual. Joseph Gordon-Levitt voices Jiro and is joined by Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Martin Short, Werner Herzog, William H. Macy, Mandy Patinkin and Stanley Tucci.

WINTER’S TALE (PG-13)Apparently, Mark Helprin’s 1983 novel, Winter’s Tale, is considered a pretty big work of recent American fiction. You don’t come away from Academy Award-winning screenwriter Akiva Goldsman’s directorial debut with that impression. Too much must not translate from the page to the screen in this saccharine two-hour distillation of that nearly 700 page novel; it’s as if Goldsman adapted the Reader’s Digest Condensed Book version. This fantastical romance about an immortal burglar, Peter Lake (Colin Farrell) and his magical white horse, Athansor, battling demons led by Russell Crowe (he definitely does his best work in period pieces) will certainly draw in viewers without quite delivering all it promises. In her first major post-“Downton” role, Jessica Brown Findlay is lovely as Beverly Penn, the love of Peter’s life who dies too young because someone so special cannot survive. Goldsman has crafted a beautiful film in his first outing, and Winter’s Tale might age well if the right audience discovers it. (One wonders whether or not the novel’s fans will embrace the film.) Mature fantasy is a tough sell to literate adult moviegoers; Winter’s Tale is exactly the so-so film I am afraid will be made from American Gods.