Preview This! 'The Happytime Murders'

Opening this week at a theatre near you:

The Happytime Murders (2018) R

In a world where humans and puppets co-exist, a puppet cast of an 80's children's TV show is being murdered one by one. A disgraced former policeman (Bill Barretta) and a detective (Melissa McCarthy) team up to find the killer. The Happytime Murders Website

What to Watch For: The cast includes Elizabeth Banks, Maya Rudolph, Joel McHale, and Michael McDonald.

Word on the Street: The screenplay is based on a story treatment that was developed back in the 90's for the Jim Henson Workshop.

My Take: The son of The Muppets creator Jim Henson, Brian Henson directed this film.

Opens nationwide on Friday.

A.X.L (2018) PG

A.X.L. stands for Attack, Exploration, Logistics, which is a top-secret, robotic dog designed to help soldiers in tight situations. When the experiment goes wrong, A.X.L. is discovered in the desert by Miles (Alex Neustaedter), and they develop a bond. The scientists are out to find and destroy A.X.L. by any means necessary. A-X-L Website

What to Watch For: The film is based on a short film, Miles that writer/director Oliver Day did in 2015.

Word on the Street: Pop star Becky G is in the film as a character named Sara.

My Take: The short film was made with Kickstarter help.

Opens nationwide on Friday.

Support The Girls (2018) R

The manager (Regina Hall) of a highway sports bar has the day from hell. Support the Girls Website

What to Watch For: The film was nominated for the Narrative Feature award at the 2018 Sarasota Film Festival.

Word on the Street: The cast includes Regina Hall, Haley Lu Richardson, and Dylan Gelula.

My Take: The trailer looks fantastic.

Opens exclusively at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema

Papillon (2017) R

Convicted for murder, Henri (Charlie Hunnman) forms an unlikely alliance with Louis (Rami Malek) to escape from the French penal colony on Devil's Island. Papillon Website

What to Watch For: This is a remake of the 1973 film Papillon.

Word on the Street: The film is based on a true story.

My Take: Papillon means 'Butterfly' which was Henri's nickname because he had a butterfly tattoo on his chest.

Opens nationwide on Friday.