OPENING THIS WEEK
ALADDIN
With Dumbo behind us and The Lion King due in July, the parade of live-action adaptations of beloved animated Disney films continues with this take on the 1992 cartoon. Director Guy Ritchie retells the story of Aladdin (Mena Massoud), a street urchin who meets the princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott). She develops an interest in him but must marry a prince by law, while Jafar (Marwan Kenzari), the royal vizier, schemes to land Jasmine and the kingdom for himself. When Aladdin finds a magic lamp containing a genie (a blue-skinned Will Smith), it helps the young lad win the princess and defeat Jafar. Rated PG. 128 minutes. Screens in 3D and 2D at Regal Stadium 14, Violet Crown. Screens in 2D only at Regal Santa Fe 6. (Not reviewed)
BOOKSMART
In this feminine twist on the Superbad formula, Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein play two best friends who, on the eve of their high school graduation, realize that they should have studied less and partied more. They attempt to make up for four years of industriousness with one big blowout, which finds them on an unforgettable evening of raunchy adventures. Will Forte, Lisa Kudrow, and Jason Sudeikis play the adults in the room. Actress Olivia Wilde makes her directorial debut. Rated R. 102 minutes. Regal Stadium 14; Violet Crown. (Not reviewed)
BRIGHTBURN
This sci-fi movie blends the superhero genre with horror, telling the story of an alien kid (Jackson A. Dunn) who crashes down near a small town in America. He is adopted by a couple (Elizabeth Banks and David Denman), who realize, as he grows, that he possesses superpowers. It is there, however, that this bad seed departs from the Superman mythology, as his impulses are murderous, and with his powers, he’s seemingly unstoppable. James Gunn (director of Guardians of the Galaxy) co-produced this film, which was written by his brother Brian and cousin Mark, and directed by David Yarovesky. Rated R. 91 minutes. Regal Stadium 14; Violet Crown. (Not reviewed)
MEETING GORBACHEV
Germany and the Soviet Union gather for this miniature summit, which finds Mikhail Gorbachev, the final Soviet president, sitting down with German filmmaker Werner Herzog (who co-directs along with Andre Singer). In this conversation, which is interspersed with archival footage, Herzog guides Gorbachev through a telling of his life and career, complete with the high points and the regrets. Not rated. 90 minutes. Center for Contemporary Arts. (Not reviewed)
WALKING ON WATER
This documentary introduces viewers to Christo, the Bulgarian artist famous for making large-scale environmental installations along with his wife, Jeanne-Claude, and then solo after her 2009 death. The film focuses on Floating Piers, his first project without Jeanne-Claude (although they conceived it together in 1970). The work involves floating walkways installed at Lake Iseo in Italy, and this film follows him on the journey as he brings the project to life, through complicated logistics and potential danger. Not rated. 105 minutes. The Screen. (Not reviewed)
THE WHITE CROW
Rated R. 127 minutes. Center for Contemporary Arts. See review, Page 46.