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An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power
directed by Jon Shenk and Bonni Cohen
( PG, 1 hour, 39 minutes) It’s been 11 years since the stunning Oscar- winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth changed the topic of climate change with hard science from people who know what they’re talking about. Now comes a continuation of the series, with former Vice President Al Gore continuing his exhaustive battle to convince the world that an international climate policy — engineered by humans to save humans — is necessary.
Being Al Gore — a stalwart lecturer not known for his charm — there’s an element of hectoring to his delivery. But the facts are presented in a stimulating
and engaging manner, so much so that citizens might learn the rudiments of activism that underlie an effort to prevent mankind from ruining the world in which we live. There’s even a current of hope flowing through the informative narrative.
The Dark Tower ( PG- 13, 1 hour, 35 minutes) Stephen King’s multibook fantasy series is the basis for this mediocre, awkward, and easily forgotten post- apocalyptic tale, told through the viewpoint of a troubled 11- yearold in Manhattan.
At the center of it all is gunslinger Roland Deschain ( Idris Elba, adorned in a suitable leather duster). He’s trapped in an endless battle with the Man in Black ( Matthew McConaughey, also wearing a manly duster) who is dedicated to preventing the toppling of the Dark Tower, which supposedly holds the universe together.
Fans of the books will probably not be pleased. With Idris Elba, Matthew McConaughey, Dennis Haysbert, Claudia Kim, Jackie Earle Haley; directed by Nikolaj Arcel.
Kidnap ( R, 1 hour, 22 minutes) Academy Award winner Halle Berry ( she won the best actress Oscar for 2002’ s Monster’s Ball) continues to appear in films that don’t amount to much ( among them Bulworth, Cloud Atlas, Dark Tide, Catwoman, and Swordfish) in this violent, nonsensical road- runner actioner about an ordinary waitress and single mom whose son is snatched by kidnappers during a park outing. Unwilling to wait for professional help ( can’t call ’ em anyway, as she loses her phone), she leaps into her mom- friendly minivan, transforms into a power- packed warrior, and takes off in hot pursuit, which fills up most of the remaining 45 minutes of screen time. With Lew Temple, Chris McGinn, Sage Correa, Dana Gourrier; directed by Luis Prieto.
Center of My World ( not rated, 1 hour, 55 minutes) An emotional examination of a crazy quilt of family ties that entangle rather than bind, this is the story of 17- yearold Phil ( Louis Hofmann), who knows little about his father, has a freewheeling mother who goes through lovers regularly, and a twin sister who finds the world difficult to navigate. With Louis Hofmann, Sabine Timoteo, Inka Friedrich; directed by Jako M. Erwa. In German with subtitles.
Annabelle: Creation ( R, 1 hour, 49 minutes) Twenty years after a dollmaker and his wife lose their daughter, they welcome a nun and her group of orphans into their home. Efforts to help the foundlings inadvertently upset the nasty spirit of their daughter in the form of a possessed doll named, yup, Annabelle. Horrors ensue. With Stephanie Sigman, Anthony LaPaglia, Miranda Otto; directed by David F. Sandberg.
The Wilde Wedding ( R, 1 hour, 35 minutes) So much talent with so little to show for it, this tiresome and ineffectual comedy concerns retired film star Eve Wilde ( Glenn Close) who, after a flamboyant ( and brief) romance, plans to wed her fourth husband, English writer Harold Alcott ( Patrick Stewart). Then her first ex- husband, along with assorted other troublesome guests, show up at her estate for a little prenuptial get- together. What could go wrong? With John Malkovich, Minnie Driver, Noah Emmerich, Peter Facinelli, Yael Stone; directed by Damian Harris.