With so many viewing choices, it’s hard to know what to watch on any given night. Should you go to a theater to watch something on the big screen? Or should you save yourself $10 and enjoy a film in the comfort of your own home?

To help answer these questions, I’ve broken down three of the newest movie releases.

**_The Accountant_**

Directed by Gavin O’Connor, _The Accountant_ is an action, mystery thriller with a silly, mindless plot that is oddly captivating. Ben Affleck stars as Christian Wolff, the titular accountant who lives a secret double-life as a Jason Bourne type. While working for a new and supposedly less dangerous client than usual, Wolff becomes the target of trained assassins.

Yes, this movie is every bit as ridiculous as it sounds. Maybe even more so.

In addition to the film’s focal plot of Wolff’s adventures as an accountant by day and spy by night, the narrative is an overstuffed mess with a mysterious jigsaw of flashbacks, storylines and characters, some of which bear absolutely no relevance. The movie jumps back and forth between these various storylines so often that it glosses over what seem to be crucially important details. Character motivations are rarely explained in favor of a complex plot that makes almost no sense.

But for as dumb as _The Accountant_ is, it’s surprisingly thrilling. Watching and anticipating how the jigsaw of characters intersects is fairly compelling. Plus the few shootouts feel remarkably gripping due to how out-of-sync they are with the rest of the movie.

_The Accountant_ definitely isn’t a good movie, but it’s still an entertaining one.

**_American Honey_**

In many respects, _American Honey_ is the cliched hipster film that has become common at film festivals and local indie theaters. It boasts a low budget, lack of glamorous special effects and only one recognizable actor. Even the subject and story are a typical undramatized portrayal of a niche, alternative lifestyle. The movie is also written and directed by the relatively unknown Andrea Arnold.

Played by Sasha Lane in her first film acting role, Star is an 18-year-old girl living in a low-income area of Oklahoma with an undue amount of responsibility. While the relationships are a little vague, Star’s mother-like role for her presumed boyfriend and his kids clearly inhibits her from pursuing any other life as she’s left to scavenge for food to feed them. Thus, when she meets a charismatic magazine salesman named Jake (Shia LaBeouf) who offers her a job, she’s quick to abandon her old life altogether. Hopping in Jake’s van, Star joins a group of misfits from across the nation and beyond as they traverse the rural midwest, selling magazines and dancing to music along the way.

Arnold’s creation is beautiful in terms of how it looks and feels. Each shot is tight and intimate, granting insight into how Star perceives her new family as well as the world. The scenes in which they dance and sing along to music are especially magnetic, making you want to get out of your seat and join the fun. Despite being a film with a long runtime where little happens, _American Honey_ is captivating for how impressively well-crafted it is.

Unfortunately, the film’s story leaves more to be desired. Little happens outside of Star’s assimilation into the group, her sales and romantic fling with Jake. _American Honey_ occasionally sheds insight on rural, impoverished America, but rarely offers a single message.

Yet despite being a film with minimal plot and a long runtime, _American Honey_ is captivating for how impressively well-crafted it is. After all, not all movies have to be profound or thrilling to capture audiences’ attention.

**_13th_**

From Ava DuVernay who directed _Selma_, _13th_is an in-depth historical analysis of how racial inequalities have persisted from the passage of the 13th Amendment to the mass incarceration practices in use today. DuVernay’s latest is not only one of the year’s best documentaries; it’s one of 2016’s best films, period. And it just so happens to be free for anyone with a Netflix account.

What makes it so especially good?

Some historical documentaries consist of ancient footage and old historians who speak in dull, monotone voices about events far removed from modern society. _13th_, on the other hand, is fairly fast-paced and surprisingly gripping. The testimonials from scholars and politicians are enthusiastic and pertinent, constantly stressing how policies, practices and attitudes of the past shaped our modern society.

DuVernay’s documentary also runs across partisan lines, identifying as neither a Democratic nor Republican film. While she offers harsh critiques of the “tough on crime” attitudes and policies of the Nixon, Reagan and Bush administrations, _13th_ equally condemns those of the Clinton administration. In fact, the documentary offers insightful commentaries from notable conservative figures, including former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.

Most importantly, though, DuVernay’s subtle hand in the film debunks the myth that racism and racial inequalities are things of the past. Through concrete examples of policies and practices, she draws parallels between the past and present and definitively proves the existence of institutional racism today with its rippling effects.

_13th_ is a captivating, insightful and profound documentary that reveals a 150-year linear progression that has created the racial tension of today.

**So what movie should I watch?**

Ultimately, this decision boils down to your personal interests.

For those interested in mysteries and thrillers with twists and turns, _The Accountant_ would be your best bet. With its silly plot and premise, it’s far from the best movie you’ll see. But hey, everyone needs some mindless entertainment from time to time, and _The Accountant_ fits the bill.

_American Honey_, on the other hand, is a well-crafted portrait of mundane humanity that traverses rural America. Not a lot happens and it doesn’t have much of a message to say, but it’s an intimate film about one girl’s assimilation into a group with an alternative lifestyle. If these unglamorous reflections of human life interest you, go see _American Honey_.

Then there’s DuVernay’s _13th_. Her documentary is the perfect watch for those interested in racial inequality, social justice or how politics and history intersect. It also happens to be the one most likely to be nominated for awards this winter. Those interested in these topics, curious about how we arrived at our modern racial culture or who simply do not have $10 to spare definitely will not regret viewing _13th_.