Wind River

Lesser Avengers reteam for snowcario’s purgatorial trek into tracking and treachery. A blizzard of tonal melancholy whips around Sheridan’s signature simplicity in a murder flick that falls victim to structural clunkiness and climactic coincidence. Native American actors deliver the finest performances in a film with no reservations about visual whitewashing.

Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation

Cruise takes flight in most aptly acronymed Mission yet. Features all the staples of the series but successfully tweaks them slightly so that the only thing which doesn’t feel fresh is our his face. Cleverly constructs an ending where the stakes are meaningful but plausible so any outcome seems possible.

Arrival

Giant espresso pods descend on Earth and cleverly attempt communication with sleep-deprived scientists through a language of coffee mug stains. Cleverly cerebral sci-fi drama integrates better elements of Nolan and Jeff Nichols with heady high concepts of Arthur C. Clarke. Preaches trans-comic cooperation as Lois’ Language catches science Hawk’s Eye.