Freeze Frame: “Widows” (R), “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindlewald” (PG-13), “Instant Family” (PG-13), “Boy Erased” (R)

KC native screenwriter Gillian Flynn might finally get the Oscar love that eluded her for “Gone Girl.” “Widows” is a fierce and gritty heist movie that is also a potent, beautifully acted social drama with powerhouse performances from Viola Davis and Daniel Kaluuya. It’s disturbing, realistic and easily one of the best movies of the year. If “Ocean’s 11” had had a social conscience, it would have been “Widows.”

The second in the Harry Potter prequel series is pretty much what you’d expect. “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” is a beautifully produced but rambling adventure with dark overtones. Johnny Depp returns as an evil wizard who gives Eddie Redmayne and the other good wizards a run for their money. The multiple plot threads aren’t woven together successfully, but there’s enough movie magic to please most fans.

Mark Wahlberg’s family comedy “Instant Family” is a pleasant surprise, based loosely on director Sean Anders’ own experiences. This story about foster parenting and adoption has more meat on its bones than most movies in this genre and manages to be a genuinely touching experience.

An outstanding cast and thoughtful execution make “Boy Erased” a winner. It tells the true story of a teenager, played by Lucas Hedges, who is sent to a gay conversion therapy camp. It makes a strong point without casting stones. Expect to see Oscar nominations for Hedges and Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe as his conflicted parents. Filmmaker Joel Edgerton might get some notice, too.

Also opening this week, Rosamund Pike stars in “A Private War,” a biopic about famed war correspondent Marie Colvin. “Monrovia, Indiana” is a new documentary from the master, Fredrick Wiseman. “Prospect” is a sci-fi entry about a teen girl and her dad going to an alien moon to strike it rich. “The Clovehitch Killer” is yet another serial killer flick.

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