“Fantastic Beasts,” “Bleed for This,” “The Edge of Seventeen” Among Weekend's New Films

L-R: Katherine Waterston, Eddie Redmayne, Alison Sudol and Dan Fogler in “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”; Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros.(NEW YORK) — Here’s a look at the new movies opening nationwide today:

* Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them — Eddie Redmayne stars in this Harry Potter spinoff by J.K. Rowling, based around Newt Scamander’s adventures in New York’s secret community of witches and wizards — seventy years before Harry Potter. Newt returns from a trip around the world in search of magical creatures, but after arriving in New York for a brief stopover, an encounter with a No-Maj — American for Muggle — named Jacob, a misplaced a magical case, and the escape of some of Newt’s fantastic beasts, spells trouble for both the wizarding and No-Maj worlds. Katherine Waterston, Colin Farrell and Jon Voight also star. Rated PG-13.

* Bleed for This — Miles Teller stars in this drama based on the true story of world champion boxer Vinny Pazienza who, after a near-fatal car crash, is left with a broken neck and not knowing if he’ll ever walk again. With the help of renowned trainer Kevin Rooney — played by Aaron Eckhart — Vinny returns to the ring just a year after the accident and, against all odds and the advice of his doctors, mounts one of sports’ most incredible comebacks. Rated R.

* The Edge of Seventeen — This high school dramedy stars Hailee Steinfeld as Nadine, a teen whose life becomes even more unbearable when her best friend, Krista — played by Haley Lu Richardson — starts dating her older brother, Darian, played by Blake Jenner. Kyra Sedgwick and Woody Harrelson also star. Rated R.

* Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk — Newcomer Joe Alwyn plays 19-year-old private Billy Lynn in Ang Lee‘s war drama based on the novel by Ben Fountain about a hero who returns home for a victory tour after a harrowing Iraq battle. Through flashbacks, the film shows what really happened to his squad, contrasting the realities of war with America’s perceptions. Vin Diesel, Steve Martin, Kristen Stewart and Chris Tucker also star. Rated R.

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