Movies Out This Weekend: 'Rampage,' 'Truth Or Dare' And More

This weekend, new movie releases arrive in the shape of friendship, heroism, horror and political drama.

“Rampage” is a terrifying, larger-than-life adventure film starring Dwayne Johnson, whose character tries to save his friend — a silverback gorilla — from harm and destruction. In that same vein of friendship is the computer-animated film “Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero," in which a stray dog and his army friend set out on an adventure during World War I.

If you're in the mood for a horror flick, “Truth or Dare” stars Tyler Posey and Lucy Hale as a couple of college pals running away from a demonized game of — you guessed it — truth or dare.

Meanwhile, fans of political drama can check out “Beirut,” in which Jon Hamm and Rosamund Pike join forces to navigate a treacherous web of deceit and intrigue.

Here's what to see and skip this weekend:

Opening This Weekend

“Rampage” — Dwayne Johnson, Naomie Harris, directed by Brad Peyton

Inspired by the popular video game, “Rampage” is the third collaboration between Dwayne Johnson and director Brad Peyton following their equally colossal adventure films “Journey 2” and “San Andreas.”

In the film, typical animals morph into destructive beasts thanks to a secret bio-genetic experiment gone wrong. The first casualty of this gene-altering accident is George, an albino silverback gorilla raised in captivity. His caretaker, Davis Okoye (Johnson), is an ape-whisperer who shares an unbreakable bond of friendship with George.

With the aid of the mysterious geneticist Dr. Kate Caldwell (Naomie Harris), Davis embarks on a journey to find an antidote for his friend. Will he be able to save George before it’s too late?

See it. Johnson exudes hairpin comic timing, and the action sequences dazzle with death-defying stunts.

Watch the trailer:

“Truth or Dare” — Lucy Hale, Tyler Posey, Violett Beane, directed by Jeff Wadlow

When a tight-knit group of friends partake in a harmless game of truth or dare, they unwittingly awaken an ancient trickster demon that bestows a deadly curse upon them — one that forces them to play the game or face gruesome consequences. The stakes become high as each of the six college seniors (played by Lucy Hale, Tyler Posey, Violett Beane, Sophia Ali, Nolan Gerard Funk and Hayden Szeto) makes life-or-death choices on their last spring break together.

Skip it. The film is a picture of convolutions of information, characters, and meandering subplots — ultimately blurring its very promising premise along the way.

Watch the trailer:

“Beirut” — Rosamund Pike, Jon Hamm, directed by Brad Anderson

Jon Hamm stars as a negotiator trapped inside a politically charged milieu in this thriller drama about corruption, betrayal, and freedom.

Set against the backdrop of a politically unstable Lebanon, the movie centers around former U.S. diplomat Mason Skiles (Hamm), who is tasked to negotiate a prisoner swap: the release of a terrorist leader believed to be imprisoned by Israeli secret police in exchange for a kidnapped CIA agent.

With the help of his Embassy-assigned handler, “cultural attaché” Sandy Crowder (Rosamund Pike), he must navigate a treacherous web of international intrigue in the rubble-strewn city of Beirut. Still, the question remains: Who can he really trust? Can he even trust Crowder?

See it. “Beirut” is compelling, anchored by a well-written screenplay and the on-screen chemistry between Hamm and Pike, who both exude an air of dramatic gravitas.

Watch the trailer:

“Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero” — Helena Bonham Carter, Logan Lerman,

The incredible true story of a dog named Stubby, the first canine ever to be given a rank in the United States Armed Forces, comes to life on the big screen.

In the computer-animated film, Private Robert Conroy (Logan Lerman) finds a stray dog wandering into camp while the men of the 102nd Infantry Regiment train for combat on the grounds of Yale University. Because of the canine’s stubby tail, Conroy names him Stubby. Before long, Stubby the dog and his new friend embark on an adventure that will change their lives forever during World War I.

See it. The film is simply adorable.

Watch the trailer:

Other entertainment news:

• Patch Living: Your April Entertainment Guide
• Reviews of 'A Quiet Place,' 'Blockers,' 'Chappaquiddick,' And 'Miracle Season'
• Reviews of 'Ready Player One,' 'Acrimony,' And 'Finding Your Feet'
• Star-Studded 2018 PaleyFest LA Wraps Up

Top Photo: Actor Dwayne Johnson arrives at the premiere of "Rampage" at the Microsoft Theatre on April 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Warner Bros)