A Million Ways to Die in the West Seth MacFarlane gives you 10 jokes where other comedians give you one, so if five of them don’t appeal to you, you’re still ahead. This is a good and occasionally very funny comedy about a sheep farmer who gets involved (inadvertently) with the wife of a cold-blooded murderer. The movie is a strident rebuke of old Western values in favor of modern times and ways. Rated R. 116 minutes.
Chef One of the best movies so far this year, with writer-director Jon Favreau as a chef going through a crisis after he loses his job at an upscale restaurant. It’s really the portrait of an artist, told in a free-flowing style, full of warm moments, good comedy and effectively written scenes. Rated R. 115 minutes.
– Mick LaSalle
Chinese Puzzle The third in the French series that began with “L’Auberge Espagnole,” this is a return to form after the disappointing “Russian Dolls.” Now those young students are all pushing 40. Romain Duris stars as a novelist coping with the breakup of his marriage to Wendy (Kelly Reilly) and living in New York. Everyone is inexplicably rich, but the characters are engaging. Rated R. 117 minutes. In French with English subtitles.
– Mick LaSalle