Weekend Movie Review: 'The Art Of Racing In the Rain' And More

This weekend, there's a little something for everyone as family-friendly films dominate new releases coming to theaters near you.

In the dramedy "The Art of Racing in the Rain," Kevin Costner lends his voice to a golden retriever whose best friend (Milo Ventimiglia) is an aspiring race car driver with a penchant for racing in the rain.

Meanwhile, in the family adventure, "Dora and the Lost City of Gold," Isabela Moner plays the titular character of a teenage explorer who is about to enter high school, while her parents (Eva Longoria and Michael Peña) embark on a risky expedition.

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

Movies Out This Weekend

“The Art of Racing in the Rain” — Kevin Costner, Milo Ventimiglia, Amanda Seyfried; directed by Simon Curtis

Adapted from Garth Stein’s best-selling 2008 novel, Simon Curtis's latest outing is an existentialist dramedy, told through the eyes of a philosophical dog that longs to be human in his next life.

In the movie, Kevin Costner lends his voice to an aging and weary dog named Enzo whose master and best friend is Denny Swift (Milo Ventimiglia), an aspiring Formula One race car driver with a propensity for racing in the rain.

Narrated by Enzo (Costner), the movie flashes back to the time when Denny adopts the golden retriever as a puppy, despite the fact that the race car driver is frequently working away from home. The storyline then recounts the first time Denny encounters Eve (Amanda Seyfried), an ESL teacher who, to Enzo’s disquietude, later becomes Denny’s wife.

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Eventually, Enzo will get close to Eve, especially after the couple’s daughter Zoe (Lily Dodsworth-Evans) is born. But no such luck when it comes to Eve’s moneyed, snobbish parents (Kathy Baker and Martin Donovan).

As the story progresses and Enzo nears death, he has one and only one wish — that he be reborn as a race car driver like his best friend and master, Denny.

See it. Though slow at times, the heartwarming PG-rated film is sentimental at the core, so make sure to bring some tissues.

Watch the trailer:

“Dora and the Lost City of Gold” — Isabela Moner, Eva Longoria, Michael Peña; directed by James Bobin

The live-action adaptation of Nickelodeon’s animated show, “Dora the Explorer,” stars Isabela Moner in the titular role of a socially awkward teenage girl who has an unrelenting passion for life.

Raised and home-schooled in the jungles of South America, 16-year-old Dora (Moner) is about to conquer her biggest challenge yet in the "real world" — attending high school for the first time ever. Meanwhile, her parents, both archeology professors (Eva Longoria and Michael Peña), embark on a Peruvian expedition trip to find the legendary Incan city of Parapata.

Dora travels to Los Angeles, where she’ll be staying with her 17-year-old cousin, Diego (Jeff Wahlberg), and his parents. She also meets other high school kids, including smarty-pants Sammy (Madeleine Madden), and socially inept Randy (Nicholas Coombe), who quickly becomes Dora’s secret admirer.

One day on a school field trip to the Natural History Museum, Dora, Jeff, Sammy and Randy are suddenly snatched by a band of mercenaries, setting in motion a myriad of events that will leave the foursome scrambling for their lives in the middle of nowhere. Can Dora save the day before time runs out?

See it. Audiences young and old will be delighted by Moner’s unwavering gusto, especially after the film's somewhat-uneven first act.

Watch the trailer:

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