Freeze Frame: “Alien: Covenant,” “Everything, Everything,” “Norman,” “Citizen Jane”

While Ridley Scott’s newest “Alien” prequel “Alien: Covenant” doesn’t add much that’s new, it does fill in the blanks. We now know where the creatures came from. Fans of the franchise should enjoy the action and mayhem that this origin story provides, even though it all seems a bit too familiar. Still, it’s a spectacular production that manages to make you jump even though you know what’s around the corner.

In the high-concept teen romance “Everything, Everything,” a homebound girl suffering from immunodeficiency problems falls in love with the boy next door through her bedroom window. Will she step outside to be with him even though it could kill her? What do you think? This sweet but very predictable film based on the YA novel has likable stars in Amandla Stenberg and Nick Robinson, so it should appeal to its teen target audience. Others, beware.

Richard Gere gives one of the top performances of his career in “Norman,” the story of an aging Jewish con man who befriends a high-ranking Israeli government official and uses the connection to wheel and deal among the Jewish business elites of New York City. Smart filmmaking and a top-notch supporting cast help turn this very low-key character study into a social commentary.

“Citizen Jane: Battle for the City” is a documentary about journalist-turned-activist Jane Jacobs, who fought intractable powers in New York to stop ravages taking place under the guise of Urban Renewal. It’s a thoughtful and informative primer on the subject.

Also opening this week, Cynthia Nixon stars as poet Emily Dickinson in the biopic, “A Quiet Passion.” “Folk Hero & Funny Guy” is a comedy about a musician and his standup comic opening act. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul” is the fourth entry in the comedy franchise. “Champion” is a faith based flick set in the world of dirt track racing.

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