It's the calm before the Star Wars storm, as few movies risk getting Force-choked at the box office.

MaryAnn Johanson admires In the Heart of the Sea (pictured) turning the true story that inspired Moby Dick into a tale of nascent environmental awareness. Amy Berg's documentary Janis: Little Girl Blue profiles Janis Joplin as the Amy Winehouse of her day, with insight into how her demons shaped her art.

In this week's feature review, the latest film adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth does a fine job of justifying its own existence with a fascinating take on the ripple effect of violence across generations.