Top 5 movie picks for Sarasota-Bradenton: Feb. 17-23

This week features two new wide-release films hitting the big screen: the Channing Tatum-canine team-up "Dog" and long-in-the-works video game adaptation "Uncharted." Last week's Oscar nominations announcement means we're also now in the thick of movie awards season, with some contenders expanding in theatrical release this week. And at-home viewing options include two high-profile titles debuting on Netflix. Here are this week's highlights.

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1. 'The Worst Person in the World'

Norwegian director/co-writer Joachim Trier's romantic comedy-drama follows a young woman (Renate Reinsve) who finds herself drawn to both a comic artist (Anders Danielsen Lie) and a barista (Herbert Nordrum.) Alternately funny, sensual and wistful, "The Worst Person in the World" premiered at last year's Cannes Film Festival, where Reinsve won Best Actress – one of several awards the movie's since won or been nominated for, including two Oscar nominations for Original Screenplay and International Feature Film.

Where to watch: Limited release in theaters including Burns Court Cinemas and Green Light Cinema on Friday

2. 'Jockey'

Clint Bentley's drama stars Clifton Collins Jr., in a welcome lead role, as an aging jockey who hopes to win one last title for his longtime trainer (Molly Parker.) "Jockey" premiered at last year's Sundance Film Festival in the U.S. Dramatic Competition, earning positive reviews and a Special Jury Award for Best Actor for Collins. It's also up for two Independent Spirit Awards this year: Best Male Lead and the John Cassavetes Award, for films made with a budget of less than $500,000.

Where to watch: Limited release in theaters including AMC Veterans 24 and AMC Woodlands Square 20 on Friday

3. 'Downfall: The Case Against Boeing'

This documentary follows the aftermath of two Boeing 737 MAX jet crashes less than five months apart from each other, Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, that killed 346 passengers. Premiering just a few weeks ago at this year's Sundance Film Festival, "Downfall: The Case Against Boeing" is directed by Rory Kennedy, whose other documentaries include the Oscar-nominated "Last Days in Vietnam" and "Ethel" about her mother, Ethel Kennedy.

Where to watch: Netflix on Friday

4. 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'

The latest sequel to Tobe Hopper's 1974 horror classic follows a group of young friends (including Elsie Fisher of "Eighth Grade") who arrive in a small Texas town and unknowingly disrupt the decades-long seclusion of killer Leatherface, while survivor Sally Hardesty (Olwen Fouéré, taking over the role after original actress Marilyn Burns' death) seeks revenge. Besides Hooper's own "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2," follow-ups in this franchise don't have a good track record. Yet this one is co-written and produced by Fede álvarez, whose "Evil Dead" is among the better recent horror reboots.

Where to watch: Netflix on Friday

5. 'Dog'

Channing Tatum makes his directorial debut along with longtime collaborator Reid Carolin for this film, which also stars Tatum in his first onscreen lead role in five years as a U.S. Army Ranger tasked with bringing a Belgian Malinois military dog to its handler's funeral. The film's trailer isn't too promising, but Tatum's had a good track record in recent years working with directors such as Steven Soderbergh, the Coen brothers and Quentin Tarantino, and "Dog" has a solid supporting cast including Q'orianka Kilcher, Jane Adams and Bill Burr. And, hey, at least there's a cute dog either way.

Where to watch: Theaters on Friday

Florida film note

Taking place during Black History Month and a few days after Valentine's Day, The Ringling will host a Black Love Film Showcase from Thursday, Feb. 17 to Saturday in the Historic Asolo Theater. Movies will include the Miami-set and shot 2016 Best Picture Oscar winner "Moonlight," and the 2005 Halle Berry-starring adaptation of Zora Neale Hurston's classic Florida-set novel "Their Eyes were Watching God," with associate producer Valerie Scoon talking after the film. "Love Jones," "Sylvie's Love" and "Cane River" will also be screened. For more information or to buy tickets, visit ringling.org.

Also taking place locally is the premiere screening of Jane Plitt's film "The Marvelous Martha" at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Manatee Performing Arts Center. The documentary follows Martha Mathilda Harper, who went from being a servant to a retail franchising business magnate in the late 1800s and early 1900s, with Sarasota-Manatee community leaders voicing Harper and other historical figures such as Bertha Palmer. For more information or to buy tickets, visit manateeperformingartscenter.com.

Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at [email protected]. Support local journalism by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota-Bradenton top 5 movie picks, Feb. 17-23