Friday’s openings: Ancient Japan, gunrunning and chariot races

Another children's animated feature, a remake of a cinema classic and an adventure story for millennials are on the movie docket this Friday. As of now, the week's openings are:

"Kubo and the Two Strings": Accompanied by a magic monkey and a samurai beetle, a young boy in ancient Japan goes on a dangerous quest. The fourth stop-motion animated feature by Portland-based LAIKA Entertainment. No "Portlandia" jokes, please. 

"Ben-Hur": Timur Bekmambetov, most noted for the sci-fi thrillers "Night Watch" and "Day Watch," adapts the 1880 novel about a Jew falsely accused of attempted murder who struggles but finally redeems himself and earns revenge. The film follows the classic 1959 version that starred Charlton Heston. Beware the lepers.

"War Dogs": Jonah Hill and Miles Teller star as a couple of young guys who, against all odds, win a $300 million contact to arm U.S. allies in Afghanistan. Inspired by a true story — the key word there being "inspired."

Still no word on what's going on with the Magic Lantern. I'll add something about that, plus any amendments to the listed openings, when they become available.