Friday’s openings: Alien symbiotes and Lady Gaga

It's unlikely that you could find films more different that the two that lead Friday's national movie-release schedule. They are as follows:

"A Star Is Born": Bradley Cooper stars alongside Lady Gaga in his first directed feature, another adaptation of the story about a fading star and the young woman he shepherds to success. (Previously done in 1937, 1954 and 1976.)

"Venom": When disgraced journalist Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) bonds with an alien symbiote, he uses his alien powers both to investigate a shady corporation and to save his life. Actor Hardy goes for a payday.

As usual, I'll update when the local theaters finalize their bookings.