Born in China,
directed by Chuan Lu
(G, 1 hour, 19 minutes)
Who says there are no more wondrous family films? DisneyNature, continuing the legacy of Disney's ability to masterfully supply insight and intimacy into the magic of the world's wild things, offers this nicely conceived and beautifully photographed documentary that takes audiences on a unique journey to remote areas of China to cozy up with three animal families.
The focus of the film by Chuan Lu is on a panda bear as she guides her adorable youngster on a path to independence. There's also the conflict faced by a 2-year-old golden monkey who is overshadowed by his new baby sister, which causes him to to depart for the company of a group of outcasts. And a wary snow leopard is viewed raising her two cubs in a harsh and unforgiving environment.
It's narrated by John Krasinski and Xun Zhou, with a balanced mix of educational and emotional moments that are especially aimed at young audiences.
Dean (PG-13, 1 hour, 33 minutes) This low-key, deadpan comedy about the relationship between a father and son concerns New York illustrator Dean (Demetri Martin), who, distressed over the death of his mother, heads to Los Angeles for a change of venue. While in Los Angeles, Dean unexpectedly discovers romance, hope, inspiration, and the importance of family, especially regarding his dad (Kevin Kline). With Gillian Jacobs, Mary Steenburgen. DVD bonus material includes a couple of featurettes and a Q & A with Martin and Rory Scovel; directed by Martin.
My Cousin Rachel (PG-13, 1 hour, 46 minutes) Daphne Du Maurier's 1951 novel, as envisioned by writer/director Roger Michell (Notting Hill, Le Week-End, Hyde Park on Hudson), concerns an intriguing, mysterious beauty who makes short work of a whiny younger guy who doesn't put much thought into the decisions he makes. Along those lines, it's also a film with an experienced and emotionally adept actress (Rachel Weisz) who blows the doors off every scene she shares with Sam Claflin, who plays the guy with a two-dimensional stiffness that feels awkward and phony.
Claflin portrays Philip, an orphan who inherits a handsome seaside estate in 19th-century England from his cousin Ambrose, who raised him, after Ambrose dies suddenly after a brief, intense courtship with enigmatic Rachel. When Rachel comes from her home in Italy to visit the estate, Philip is intent on hating her for, in his opinion, probably being the cause of Ambrose's death. That's not what happens, and that's where Philip's bad decisions come into play.
It's not as interesting as it sounds (the darkly suspense-laden 1952 original with Olivia de Havilland and Richard Burton was better), but the cinematography is gorgeous. With Holliday Grainger, Iain Glen, Andrew Knott.
Heal the Living (not rated, 1 hour, 44 minutes) A French drama, fraught with the spirituality of personal connections, that examines how a controversial medical procedure affects three very different sets of people in different situations. Among them is a teenager and his friends on a surfing road trip that leads to tragedy, a woman whose weak heart is beginning to fail, and two teams of doctors and medical workers who work mightily every day through endless emergency situations to save their patients. With Tahar Rahim, Emmanuelle Seigner, Bouli Lanners; directed by Katell Quillevere. Subtitled.
Inconceivable (R, 1 hour, 46 minutes) Stiff, poorly written, and too dull to deserve its decent cast, Inconceivable concerns a family that welcomes a struggling single mother into their home to be their nanny. But strange behaviors begin to surface, and they realize that the woman they've entrusted their lives to may have other intentions. With Gina Gershon, Nicolas Cage, Faye Dunaway, Nicky Whelan; directed by Jonathan Baker. Blu-ray special features include commentary with the director, a making-of featurette, a deleted scene, and cast and crew interviews.
MovieStyle on 09/01/2017