The magical world of Harry Potter returns to the big screen this weekend, as the second prequel, “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” opens nationwide. 

The Film Yap’s Christopher Lloyd reviews the latest openings ahead of a busy holiday weekend: “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” – The Harry Potter spinoff gets a sequel as zoologist/wizard Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) faces off with a Voldemort knockoff (Johnny Depp).

“Wildlife” – Carey Mulligan and Jake Gyllenhaal play a couple whose slow marital dissolution plays out in front of their teenage son. Well-acted but unbelievable.

“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” – The Coen brothers are back in Western mode in this anthology of six disparate stories ranging from musical and goofy to bloody and tragic.

“Widows” – “12 Years a Slave” filmmaker Steve McQueen directs this story of four women whose husbands have been murdered who take matters into their own hands. Starring Viola Davis.

“Instant Family” – Mark Wahlberg is in idiot comedy mode again in this story of a couple whose lives change when they adopt three siblings at once. Co-starring Rose Byrne.

“A Private War” – Rosamund Pike plays legendary war correspondent Marie Colvin in this biopic about her travels around the globe.

“Alpha” – This surprisingly good family adventure follows a prehistoric man/boy as he makes the first alliance between man and dog. Buy It.

Get more reviews at www.thefilmyap.com.