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Advanced Style In this charming, episodic documentary, the streets of Manhattan become a runway for the city’s most fashionably adventurous seniors — and the delightful divas do not disappoint. The women here are living life to the fullest — and are inviting us to do the same. Not rated. 73 minutes. — D. Lewis Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No
Good, Very Bad Day The sort-of known, kind-of fondly remembered, not-particularly memorable 28-page children’s book spawns an 81minute movie. Kid has bad day, wishes ill on family, they have bad day, all is solved by money. Starring Steve Carell, Jennifer Garner and Ed Oxenbould. Rated PG. 81 minutes. .
— M. Ordoña
Annabelle This prequel/spinoff to the superb 2013 throwback horror film “The Conjuring” delivers the requisite scares, despite a clearly rushed production schedule. The script highlights an annoying lack of self-preservation on behalf of the protagonists. But as a creepy doll goes on a Satanic rampage in a conservative 1969 home, the film tries to be more than mediocre, and mostly succeeds. Rated R. 98 minutes.
— P. Hartlaub Awake: The Life of
Yogananda This is a loving tribute to Para- mahansa Yogananda,who imported yoga and meditation to America. Sometimes the mystical segments get in the way of the story, but overall, this is a worthwhile profile of a long overdue subject. Not rated. 87 minutes. — D. Lewis
The Best of Me Romantic drama about former high-school sweethearts who reunite years later. With James Marsden and Michelle Monaghan. Rated PG-13. 117 minutes.
Blue Room Mathieu Amalric directed and stars in this adaptation of Georges Simenon’s crime novel. Not rated. 85 minutes. In French with English subtitles.
The Book of Life The gods meddle with a
love triangle among a strong-willed young woman, a muscular hero and a sensitive matador. Imagination and creative energy power this animated romantic fantasy decorated with the trappings of Mexican folklore. Voices by Diego Luna, Zoë Saldana, and Channing Tatum. Written and directed by Jorge R. Gutiérrez. Rated PG. 85 minutes.
— M. Ordoña The Boxtrolls The stop-motion animation is impressive, but the story is straight out of the 1990s, involving a civilization of benign (albeit disgusting) trolls, an effort to destroy them and the people who rise up to save them. The 3-D technology is murky — the movie is best seen in two dimensions. Rated PG. 96 minutes. — M. LaSalle Boyhood Richard Linklater’s instant classic, filmed over the course of 12 years, tells the fictional story of a boy growing up in Texas, whose parents (Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette, both magnificent) are divorced. It’s just life flowing one day and one year into the next, and it’s fascinating — 166 minutes that go by in a flash. It’s probably the best American movie of the decade, so far. Rated R. 166 minutes.
— M. LaSalle Dracula Untold The story of Dracula is mixed with the true history of the 15th century Transylvanian prince, “Vlad the Impaler,” in a film that actually comes up with something new in the vampire genre — before degenerating into the usual blood on fangs. Still, not bad. Starring Luke Evans. Rated PG-13. 92 minutes. — M. LaSalle The Equalizer The latest in the Don’t Mess With Pops action sub-genre made enormously successful by Liam Neeson becomes a vehicle for Denzel Washington, as a mild-mannered one-man killing machine who singlehandedly decides to take on the entire Russian mafia. Silly, but very well done. Rated R. 132 minutes. — M. LaSalle Fury This is the first World War II movie to fully embrace a post-9/ 11 sensibility, with Brad Pitt leading a tank crew through Germany in the last weeks of the war. Bitter, realistic and harsh, the point of view is that there may be just wars, but there’s never such a thing as a “good war. Rated R. 134 minutes.
— M. LaSalle Gone Girl This is a great thriller for two hours, but with an absolutely inadequate ending that transforms it from what was potentially one of the
best movies of the year into something that must be forgiven, slightly, in order to be enjoyed. Still, it’s a pleasure getting there. Starring Ben Affleck and an impressive Rosamund Pike. Directed by David Fincher. Rated R. 149 minutes. — M. LaSalle The Green Prince This documentary thriller about a Palestinian spy and his Israeli handler has many elements of a John le Carré novel: international intrigue, arresting twists and turns, and characters with complicated motivations. There are unanswered questions, but the film is always riveting. Not rated. 101 minutes. In English and Hebrew with English subtitles. — D. Lewis Guardians of the Galaxy A combination of comedy without wit, action without drama and elaborate visuals that are nothing much to look at, this action movie, based on the Marvel comic books, is the story of four misfits who set out to save the galaxy from a powerful evil entity that wants to wreck just about everything. Not bad, but not good either. Rated PG-13. 121 minutes. — M. LaSalle Harmontown This documentary is a warts and more warts look at Dan Harmon of “Community” TV fame, who goes on a nationwide podcast tour to connect with self-avowed socially awkward folks like himself. There are affecting moments, though the film goes on a little long. Not rated. 103 minutes.
— D. Lewis The Hundred-Foot Journey The story of an Indian family that relocates to Europe and opens a restaurant in rural France, this is an appealing film about different food cultures, with fine performances by Helen Mirren (as a formidable French restaurateur), the humane and likable Om Puri (as the Indian patriarch) and Manish Dayal, as a young cook with talent. It’s beautifully directed, in a meticulous and unforced way, by Lasse Hallstrom. Rated PG. 122 minutes. — M. LaSalle I Am Eleven This heartfelt documentary by Australian filmmaker Genevieve Bailey features kids who are generally content but must confront the often confusing time between childhood and teen years. But Bailey’s childhood nostalgia colors the authenticity of a well-meaning film that borders on self-indulgence and wishful thinking. Not rated. 94 minutes. — T. Lee
The Judge Robert Duvall and Robert Downey, Jr. are nicely paired as father and son, in this family drama about a lawyer who comes back to defend his difficult, bullheaded father on a murder charge. Sometimes sentimental, the movie plays better as a showcase for dueling personae. Curiously, despite the extended running time, it doesn’t feel at all too long. Rated R. 141 minutes.
— M. LaSalle
Kill the Messenger The true story of San Jose Mercury News reporter Gary Webb, who uncovered the “dark alliance” between the CIA and Nicaraguan drug dealers — and then got crucified by his fellow journalists — gets a tantalizing but not entirely satisfying treatment, in a film that starts well and then trails off. Starring Jeremy Renner. Rated R. 112 minutes.
— M. LaSalle
Last Days in Vietnam Rory Kennedy’s remarkable documentary about the 1975 evacuation of Saigon is a film of great sadness and a galvanizing look at heroism. She mixes riveting archival footage and new interviews with participants (including Henry Kissinger) to provide a clear-eyed look at America’s failure to set its exit plan in motion until the North Vietnamese were poised to take the city. Not rated. 98 minutes.
— W. Addiego
Lilting In this sympathetic film from writerdirector Hong Khauo, Kai (Andrew Leung) is too afraid to tell his mother Junn (Pei-pei Cheng), whom he has just settled into a home for senior citizens, about his relationship with Richard (Ben Whishaw). Before Kai can summon the nerve, he dies in
a an accident. The film works because of the superb performances from its two leads, especially Whishaw, whose tortured gloom offers a striking contrast to the cool “Q” role he presented in “Skyfall.” Not rated. 91 minutes. — T. Lee
The Maze Runner Based on James Dashner’s 2009 novel for young adults, this sci-fi thriller about a dystopian society is best in the set-up, which mixes an engaging adolescent fantasy with dashes of intrigue and menace. As the mystery unfolds, the film starts to collapse under the weight of unanswered questions, and offers an ending that borders on infuriating. Rated PG-13. 113 minutes.
— P. Hartlaub Men, Women &
Children The latest from Jason Reitman is an ensemble movie about how the Internet is involved in the lives of people today. It’s concerned with the moral dimensions of Internet use, and though to some degree the vision can be seen as alarmist, there’s enough truth in it — and enough good acting — that the film succeeds. Rated R. 119 minutes.
— M. LaSalle
My Old Lady A rumpled, troubled American (Kevin Kline) travels to Paris to sell the apartment his father left him, but finds that, because of a quirky French law, he’s stuck with two surprise occupants: a tarttongued elderly woman (Maggie Smith) and her daughter (Kristin Scott Thomas). The comedic beginning darkens as the story progresses. It’s the directorial debut of veteran playwright Israel Horovitz and offers lots to enjoy, but it has a slightly musty, oldschool feel. Rated PG-13. 107 minutes. — W. Addiego
Pride In Thatcher-era England, London gay-rights activists reach out to support striking Welsh miners in this lively comedy-drama based on real events. Relative newcomer Ben Schnetzer shines in an ensemble including Bill Nighy, Dominic West, Paddy Considine and Imelda Staunton. Rated R. 119 minutes. — M. Ordoña
Rudderless Billy Crudup gives an outstanding performance in this surprisingly uplifting movie about how a father reacts to the death of his college-age son. Directed by William H. Macy, the movie also stars Anton Yelchin as a young man who encourages the father to form a band and has Laurence Fishburne, Felicity Huffman and Selena Gomez in small but pivotal roles. Rated R. 105 minutes. — L. Hertz
St. Vincent Bill Murray is a very nasty old guy in Brooklyn who becomes friends, sort of, with a single mom (Melissa McCarthy) and her precocious son, in this sentimental, discordant film that isn’t quite redeemed by Murray’s presence. Rated PG-13. 103 minutes. — M. LaSalle
20,000 Days on Earth This wildly imaginative movie is not only a profile of elusive Australian rocker Nick Cave but also a provocative meditation on the creative spirit. It’s beautifully scripted, edited and photographed — a stunning rock documentary, if you can call this unusual film that. Not rated. 97 minutes.
— D. Lewis The Two Faces of
January This is a fine adaptation of the Patricia Highsmith novel — beautiful to look at, atmospheric and tense — with Kirsten Dunst, Oscar Isaac and a brilliant Viggo Mortensen as three shady people in Europe, trying to avoid the
law and keep from tearing each other apart. Rated PG-13. 97 minutes.
— M. LaSalle Whiplash J.K. Simmons’ tour de force as a sadistic music teacher is the highlight of this drama, about an aspiring jazz drummer (Miles Teller) and the mind-bending, souldistorting pressure put on him. The focus is narrow, but the film is successful within its scope. Rated R. 106 minutes. — M. LaSalle
Also Noted
AT THE ART HOUSES
Balboa: 3630 Balboa St., San Francisco. (415) 221-8184, balboamovies.com. Castro: Sun.: “How to Marry a Millionaire,” “Witten on the Wind.” Tues.: “Alphaville,” “Orpheus.” Wed.: “A Most Wanted Man,” “The Pawnbroker.” Thurs.: “The Black Cat,” “The Raven.” Fri.: “Ghostbusters,” “Inner Space.” Sat.: Bay Area Science Festival. 429 Castro St., San Francisco. (415) 621-6120, www.castrotheatre.com. Roxie: Sun.: “Roxie Kids: Nocturna.” Mon.: “Ivory Tow- er.” Wed.: “Before You Know It.” Thurs.: “Nippon Nights #4: Idol Is Dead.” 3117 16th St., San Francisco. (415) 863-1087, www.roxie.com.
FILM PROGRAMS
Pacific Film Archive: Sun.: “Discovering Georgian Cinema”: “Georgian Kulturfilms,” “Also Like Life: The films of Hou Hsiao-hsien”: “The Green, Green Grass of Home.” Mon.: “Film Course: Spotlight on Georgian Cinema”: “The Wishing Tree.” Tues.: “Also Like Life”: “Cheerful Wind.” Wed.: “Alternative Visions”: “Films of Jerome Hiler.” Thurs.: “JeanLuc Godard: Expect Everything from Cinema”: “Every Man for Himself.” Fri.: “Eyes Wide: The Films of Stanley Kubrick”: “The Shining.” Sat.: “Discovering Georgian Cinema”: “Eliso,” “Eyes Wide”: “Full Metal Jacket.” 2575 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. (510) 642-1412, www.bampfa.berkeley.edu. Rafael Film Center: Sun.Thurs.: “Awake: The Life of Yogananda.” Thurs.: “Imbued,” with Bay Area filmmaker Rob Nilsson in person. 1118 Fourth St., San Rafael. (415) 454-1222, www.cafilm.org.