Entertainment:
Movies opening this week, now playing and special screenings.
Openings FRIDAY
An Art That Nature Makes Documentary on photographer Rosamond Purcell who finds unexpected beauty in the discarded and decayed. Directed by Molly Bernstein. (1:15) NR. Black Women in Medicine The stories of African American women, including young medical students, practicing physicians and pioneers, are shared in this documentary. Directed by Crystal R. Emery. (1:02) NR. Complete Unknown An enigmatic woman with a fluid identity unsettles the life of a former lover. With Rachel Weisz, Michael Shannon, Kathy Bates. Written by Joshua Marston and Julian Sheppard. Directed by Marston. (1:30) R. Game of Aces During World War, an American fighter pilot is sent to the Arabian desert to rescue a downed German flyer carrying secrets for the Allies. With Chris Klein, Victoria Summer, Werner Daehn. Written and directed by Damien Lay. (1:37) R.
Howard’s End A new 4k restoration of the 1992 Merchant-Ivory film about three families whose fortunes turn on ownership of an ancestral home in Edwardian England. With Anthony Hopkins, Vanessa Redgrave, Helena Bonham Carter, Oscar winner Emma Thompson, James Wilby and Samuel West. Written by Oscar winner Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, based on the E.M. Forster novel. Produced by Ismail Merchant. Directed by James Ivory. (2:20) PG. Kickboxer Vengeance A man travels to Thailand to train with a legendary master to avenge his brother's death. With Alain Moussi, Dave Bautista, Jean-Claude Van Damme. Written by Dimitri Logothetis, Jim McGrath. Directed by John Stockwell. (1:30) R. Klown Forever In a sequel to the 2010 Danish comedy, Caspar travels to Hollywood and Frank follows to save their failing friendship. With Casper Christensen, Frank Hvam. Written by Christensen & Hvam. Directed by Mikkel Nørgaard. In Danish and English with English subtitles. (1:39) NR. The Light Between Oceans The dreams of an Australian World War I veteran and his wife are answered when an infant girl enters their lives but with unintended consequences. With Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Rachel Weisz. Written and directed by Derek Cianfrance, based upon the novel by M.L. Stedman. (2:12) PG-13. Story on Page E1 Morgan A horrifying accident at a remote, top-secret location requires a corporate troubleshooter to investigate in this science fiction thriller. With Kate Mara, Anya Taylor-Joy, Toby Jones, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Paul Giamatti. Written by Seth Owen. Directed by Luke Scott. (1:27) R. The 9th Life of Louis Drax A famed neurologist investigates a 9-year-old boy’s ability to survive near-fatal accidents. With Jamie Dornan, Sarah Gadon, Aaron Paul, Aiden Longworth, Molly Parker, Barbara Hershey, and Oliver Platt. Written by Max Minghella, based on the novel by Liz Jensen. Directed by Alexandre Aja. (1:48) R. Skiptrace A Hong Kong detective teams with an American gambler to nail the druglord who killed his partner. With Jackie Chan, Johnny Knoxville, Bingbing Fan. Written by Jay Longino and Ben David Grabinski.
Directed by Renny Harlin. (1:47) PG-13. Summer of 8 High school friends spend one last day and night together before going their separate ways. With Carter Jenkins, Shelley Hennig, Matthew Shively. Written and directed by Ryan Schwartz.(1:28) NR. Yoga Hosers Two Canadian 15-yearolds named Colleen strike a menacing pose when evil erupts through the Manitoban soil. With Lily-Rose Depp, Harley Quinn Smith, Justin Long. Written and directed by Kevin Smith. (1:28) PG-13.
Zoom A comic book artist, a novelist and a filmmaker live in separate worlds, but each in turn creates the next one’s existence in this multimedia roundelay. With Gael García Bernal, Alison Pill, Mariana Ximenes. Written and directed by Matt Hansen. (1:36) NR.
Critics’ Choices
Cafe Society Woody Allen’s new film, starring Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart and Steve Carell, is of course funny, but it also ends up, almost without our realizing it, trafficking in memory, regret and the fate of relationships in a world of romantic melancholy. (K.Tu., July 15) (1:36) PG-13. Don’t Think Twice Actor-comedian Mike Birbiglia’s funny and endearing love letter to the world of improvisational comedy and the spontaneous performers who keep it bubbling. (Gary Goldstein, July 29) (1:30) R. Hell or High Water Set in the desolate sprawl of West Texas, this gripping heist drama, starring Jeff Bridges, Ben Foster and Chris Pine, is keenly attuned to the outsider politics of our times. (Glenn Whipp, Aug. 12) (1:42) R. Hunt for the Wilder people This wonderful New Zealand film has a gently absurdist quality, a simultaneously sweet and subversive sensibility all its own, mixing warmth, adventure and comedy in ways that consistently surprise. Don’t miss it. (K.Tu., June 24) (1:41) PG-13. Indignation Adapted by director James Schamus from the Philip Roth novel and starring Logan Lerman and Sarah Gadon, this is a melancholy, star-crossed romance laced with Roth’s piercing sense of humor. (K.Tu., July 29) (1:50) R. Ixcanul Set among an indigenous Maya community in the Guatemalan highlands, Jayro Bustamante's vividly observed drama about a young peasant girl seeking a better life gradually shifts into a realm of hushed, intimate tragedy. (J.C., Aug. 26) In Kaqchikel with English subtitles. (1:31) NR. Jason Bourne The fourth film to feature Matt Damon as the unstoppable secret agent, the third to be directed by Paul motion Greengrass,picture is thisa model most propulsiveof what mainstream entertainment can be like when everything goes right. (K.Tu., July 29) (2:03) PG-13. Kubo and the Two Strings In this 3-D wonderment steeped in ancient Japanese folklore and brought to life by the stop-motion innovators at Laika Entertainment, magic is both an eyepopping phenomenon and an everyday reality. (J.C., Aug. 19) (1:41) PG. Little Men Ira Sachs’ beautifully observed, modestly scaled drama zeros in on teen-spirit qualities of creativity and innocence, a tender spark brought to life. (Sheri Linden, Aug. 12) (1:25) PG. Pete’s Dragon A straight ahead, unapologetic family film, this reimagining of the 1977 film about a boy and his dragon is the kind of foursquare movie its distributor Disney could have made ransom ago. (K.Tu., Aug. 12) (1:42) PG.
The Tenth Man This Argentine effort written and directed by Daniel Burman is a complete charmer, an unlooked for combination of Jane Austen and Isaac Bashevis Singer. With a twist of Buenos Aires thrown into the mix. (K.Tu., Aug. 5) In Spanish with English subtitles. (1:22) NR.
Also in Theaters
Anthropoid In this enlightening but seldom riveting drama about a plan to assassinate the Third Reich’s No. 3 man, director Sean Ellis poses compelling questions, and breaks through the historical aspic — too late, yet unforgettably, in its final, shattering scenes. (Sheri Linden, Aug. 12) (2:00) R. Bad Moms An intermittently funny, occasionally raunchy movie that regards its central characters from an essential remove. (Mark Olsen, July 29) (1:41) R. Ben-Hur More phlegmatic than awful, this revisiting of the twice-filmed story of rivalry between former friends in the time of Jesus is not bad enough to get mad at. What it lacks most of all is a convincing reason to exist. (K.Tu., Aug. 19) (2:03) PG-13.
Disorder Hired by a wealthy Lebanese businessman to protect his family at a luxury villa on the Riviera, a French army veteran struggles with PTSD. With Diane Kruger, Matthias Schoenaerts, Paul Hamy. Written by Alice Winocour and Jean-Stéphane Bron. Directed by Winocour. In French with English subtitles. (1:38) NR. Don’t Breathe Director Fede Alvarez (of 2013’s “Evil Dead” remake) flexes his genre muscles with this devious and relentless thriller, which finds a blind man turning the tables on the crooks who make the very big mistake of breaking into his home. (J.C., Aug. 26) (1:28) R.
Equal Means Equal Writer-director Kamala Lopez explores the challenges and discrimination women face in the workplace and argues ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. Featuring Patricia Arquette, Gloria Steinem, Lakshmi Puri. (1:33) NR.
Equity The performances of Anna Gunn, as a steely top-tier investment banker and Alysia Reiner, as a dogged federal prosecutor, are the chief reasons to see this drama about what it means to be a female mover and shaker in the boys’ club of high finance. (Sheri Linden, July 29) (1:40) R. Florence Foster Jenkins Perhaps not every quirky true story needs a biopic starring Meryl Streep, as evidenced by director Stephen Frears’ bizarre take on the story of a wealthy older woman who launched an amateur singing career in the 1940s despite her distinct lack of talent. (Katie Walsh, Aug. 12) (1:50) PG-13. Floyd Norman: An Animated Life A documentary on the first African-American animator hired by Disney, who was hired in 1956, Norman worked on classics such as “Sleeping Beauty,” “101 Dalmatians” and “The Jungle Book” before moving on to Vignette Films, Sesame Street, Hanna-Barbera and Pixar. Co-directed by Michael Fiore and Erik Sharkey. (1:34) NR. Greater A young man overcomes his size disadvantage to be a walk-on and realize his dream of playing college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks. With Neal McDonough, Christopher Severio, Leslie Easterbrook. Written by Brian Reindl and David Hunt. Directed by Hunt. (2:10) PG. Hands of Stone Panamanian boxer Roberto Duran soars to stardom when he defeats Sugar Ray Leonard in 1980, only to be toppled in the rematch when he infamously says, “no mas.” With Robert De Niro, Edgar Ramirez, Usher Raymond. Written and directed by Jonathan Jakubowicz. (1:45) R. The Hollars News of his mother’s illness brings a New York City artist back to the small town he left behind and he is immediately swept up in his family’s dysfunction and other dramas. Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Anna Kendrick, John Krasinski. Written by James C. Strouse. Directed by Krasinksi. (1:29) PG-13. Imperium Daniel Radcliffe dives into yet another Harry Potter-erasing role in this chilling, surprisingly effective crime thriller involving white supremacy. (Gary Goldstein, Aug. 19) (1:48) R. In Order of Disappearance In the mountains of Norway, a snowplow driver seeks revenge for his son’s death precipitating a gang war. With Stellan Skarsgård, Bruno Ganz, Pål Sverre Hagen. Written by Kim Fupz Aakeson. Directed by Hans Petter Moland. In Norwegian, Swedish, Danish,
English, Serbian and German with English subtitles. (1:54) R. In Search of the American Dream The arrest of their undocumented parents leads five Texas siblings and their adult brother to go on the run in Texas with tragic results. With Baldemar Rodriguez, Shaina Sandoval, Jeremy Becerra. Written and directed by Rodriguez. (2:23) PG-13. The Intervention During a weekend getaway, concerned friends force a couple to assess their marriage. With Melanie Lynskey, Cobie Smulders, Alia Shawkat. Written and directed by Clea Duvall. (1:30) R. Made in Venice Documentary on Venice Beach skateboarders in the 1980s and their dream of a skatepark. Featuring Jesse Martinez, Cesario “Block” Montano, Craig R. Stecyk III. Written by Diane Rozas. Directed by Jonathan Penson. NR.
Mechanic: Resurrection Sequel to the 2011 action thriller finds Bishop tasked with assassinating the most dangerous men in the world. With Jason Statham, Jessica Alba, Tommy Lee Jones. Written by Philip Shelby and Tony Mosher, story by Philip Shelby, based on characters created by Lewis John Carlino. Directed by Dennis Gansel. (1:39) R. Mia Madre An Italian film director juggles her mother’s illness, her daughter’s adolescence and a difficult American movie star. With Margherita Buy, John Turturro, Giulia Lazzarini. Written by Nanni Moretti, Francesco Piccolo, Valia Santella. Directed by Moretti. In Italian and English with English subtitles. (1:46) R. My King While recuperating from a skiing accident, a woman looks back on a tumultuous decade-long relationship. With Emmanuelle Bercot and Vincent Cassell. Written by Etienne Comar, Maïwenn. Directed by Maïwenn. In French with English subtitles. (2:05) NR. Natural Selection New in town, a high school senior finds himself manipulated by an enigmatic student who rescued him from bullying. With Mason Dye, Ryan Munzert, Katherine McNamara. Written and directed by Chad Scheifele, based on the book by Stuart Connelly. (1:41) NR. Ovation Veteran filmmaker Henry Jaglom’s 20th feature is a loving tribute to the theater, to the intoxicating power of live performance and to the bond among performers and crew, from the lighting guy in the booth down to the star on the stage. (Katie Walsh, July 8) (1:42) R. The People vs. Fritz Bauer An involving film, a major award winner in Germany, about the real-life anti-Nazi prosecutor who had a secret hand in Israel's capture of Adolf Eichmann. (K.Tu., Aug. 19) In German with English subtitles. (1:45) R. Sausage Party For something steeped in the juvenile directness of puns and body heart humor,to this there newis an R-ratedenigmatic animatedminds of Seth film Rogenfrom the and sweetlyEvan Goldberg.filthy Does it want to be a dirty movie or theological treatise? (Mark Olsen, Aug. 12) (1:29) R. The Sea of Trees A suicidal American and a Japanese man search for meaning and survival in the Aokigahara forest. With Matthew McConaughey, Ken Watanabe, Naomi Watts, Katie Aselton. Written by Chris Sparling. Directed by Gus Van Sant. (1:50) PG-13. Southside With You On a summer day in 1989, young legal associate Barack Obama courts attorney Michelle Robinson on their first date. With Tika Sumpter, Parker Sawyers, Vanessa Bell Calloway. Written and directed by Richard Tanne. (1:24) PG-13. Spa Night A young man has a sexual awakening when he takes a job at an all-male spa in L.A.’s Koreatown. With Joe Seo, Haerry Kim and Youn Ho Cho. Directed by Andrew Ahn. In Korean and English with English Subtitles. (1:33) NR. Suicide Squad A villains-as-heroes comic book movie that ends up in a kind of limbo, not as strong as its partisans will insist or as weak overall as its least appealing elements would have you fear. (K.Tu., Aug. 5) Imax 3D. (2:10) PG-13.
A Tale of Love and Darkness Based on the Amos Oz memoir and directed by and starring Natalie Portman, this Hebrew language film persuasively intertwines the personal tale of a young boy's strong bond with his emotionally fragile mother with the wider narrative of the early days of the state of Israel. (K.Tu., Ayfg. 19) In Hebrew with English subtitles. (1:35) PG-13. War Dogs This slipshod comic thriller purports to tell the wild and crazy tale of two upstart war profiteers from Miami Beach who exploited the U.S. conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and temporarily achieved big-time status in the international arms trade. (J.C., Aug. 19) (1:54) R.
All movies are in general release unless noted. Also included: the film’s running time and ratings. MPAA categories: (G) for general audiences; (PG) parental guidance urged because of material possibly unsuitable for children; (PG-13) parents are strongly cautioned to give guidance for attendance of children younger than 13; (R) restricted, younger than 17 admitted only with parent or adult guardian; (NC-17) no one 17 and younger admitted.
Events & Revivals
Cinecon 52, Egyptian Theatre, 7612 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. (323) 466-3456. Classic film festival including King of Jazz (1930). Thu., 12 p.m.Sept. 5. The Cinefamily, Silent Movie Theater, 611 N Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 655-2510. The Complete Works of Frederick Wiseman, Pt. 1 (1967-1976): Titicut Follies (1967). 35 mm restoration. Sun., 4 p.m.; Mon.Wed., 7:30 p.m. High School (1968). 35 mm restoration. Sat., 3 p.m. KCET Fall Cinema Series, Aero Theatre, 1326 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, (747) 201-5800 or kcet.org/CinemaSeries Miss Stevens (2016). Q&A immediately following. Tue., 7:30 p.m. Laemmle’s Anniversary Classics, Royal, West L.A.; NoHo 7, North Hollywood; Playhouse 7, Pasadena. Doris Day Double Feature: Lover Come Back (1961). Mon., 4:30 and 9:30 p.m. The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956). Mon., 7 p.m. TCM Big Screen Classics, AMC, Cinemark, Edwards, Regal and other theaters, www.fathomevents.com The King and I (1956). Sun. and Wed., 2 and 7 p.m. Story on Page E3 UCLA Film & Television Archive, Billy Wilder Theatre, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 206-8013. Kirk Douglas Centennial: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) and The Vikings (1958). Sun., 7 p.m.