Movies Out This Weekend: 'The Last Jedi,' 'Ferdinand' And More

After much anticipation, "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" has finally hit theaters. And with a star-studded cast of actors including Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Mark Hamill and John Boyega, you'll definitely want to get in on the action and go see it this weekend.

The whole family can check out the heartwarming animated film "Ferdinand," about a bull who gets mistaken for a violent beast despite his gentle-giant nature. “The Ballad of Lefty Brown” is also on the big screen this weekend, paying homage to Old-Hollywood Westerns as Bill Pullman plays a vengeance-seeking cowboy on the wild frontier.

Here's what to see and what to skip this weekend.

Movies Out This Weekend

“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” — Daisy Ridley, Mark Hamill, directed by Rian Johnson

The wait is over! The most recent installment of “Star Wars,” comes alive on the big screen with “The Last Jedi,” in which Rey’s (Daisy Ridley) journey to learn the path of the Jedi continues as the Resistance faces off against the evil First Order. Check out our non-spoiler review of the movie to find out if "Episode VIII" is the best of the bunch — and whether the film's lightsaber sequences are worth writing home about.

Also See: Inside The World Premiere Of 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi'

“Ferdinand”— John Cena, Kate McKinnon, directed by Carlos Saldanha

Based on the 1936 children’s book “The Story of Ferdinand,” the animated family film follows the adventure of Ferdinand (voiced by John Cena), a peace-loving bull who’s been enjoying an idyllic life in the countryside. But after he is mistaken for a vicious beast, he is taken away to a bull training camp in rural Spain for Madrid’s arena.

Feeling trapped and determined to get back home, Ferdinand sets off on the journey of a lifetime, making friends with different animals along the way, including a chill goat named Lupe (voiced by Kate McKinnon) and fur-ball hedgehog named Una (voiced by Gina Rodriguez). However, there is also a looming danger ahead for the kind-hearted bull on his way back home.

See it. Despite a lackluster second act, “Ferdinand” is set to charm the whole family with its funny set of characters, and its message of love, acceptance and kindness.

“The Ballad of Lefty Brown” — Bill Pullman, Jim Caviezel, directed by Jared Moshe

Bill Pullman stars as the titular character in the story about loyalty, friendship, and the relentless pursuit of justice. Set against the backdrop of the spectacular Montana landscape, the film pays tribute to classic American Westerns.

Devastated by the murder of legendary Montana rancher Senator Edward Johnson (Peter Fonda), Lefty Brown (Pullman) sets off to avenge his longtime friend and mentor. He is joined on his journey by gunslinger Jeremiah (Diego Josef) and U.S. Marshall Tom Harrah (Tommy Flanagan). While riding through the western wilderness, the trio unexpectedly gets involved in a gunfight with an outlaw, wounding Jeremiah when things go awry.

To seek help, Lefty traverses back to his hometown only to learn that he is now being charged with the murder of Edward, and must now prove his innocence.

See it. Notwithstanding some bland showdowns, “The Ballad of Lefty Brown” is a well-thought-out homage to old-Hollywood era. Pullman delivers his best performance in years.

Note: In addition to the three movies above, past weeks' favorites — Greta Gerwig's "Lady Bird," Joe Wright's "Darkest Hour," Luca Guadagnino's "Call Me By Your Name," James Franco's "The Disaster Artist," Guillermo del Toro's "The Shape of Water," and Julia Roberts's "Wonder"continue their platform expansion in other markets.

More movie news:

• Patch Living: Your December Entertainment Guide
• Film Review Of 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi'
• Inside The World Premiere Of "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"
• What's New On Netflix: December 2017
• Reviews of 'I, Tonya,' 'Just Getting Started,' 'November Criminals'
• Reviews of 'The Disaster Artist,' 'Wonder Wheel,' 'The Shape of Water,' 24 Hours To Live'
• Reviews of 'Darkest Hour,' 'Coco,' 'The Man Who Invented Christmas,' 'Call Me By Your Name'

First Photo: Mark Hamill and Daisy Ridley attend the premiere of Disney Pictures and Lucasfilm's 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' at The Shrine Auditorium on December 9, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Credit: By Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images