BlacKkKlansman,
directed by Spike Lee
(R, 2 hours, 15 minutes)
Unsettling and sharply satirical, this intense social and political commentary takes on race in America as observed through the lens of a true story. In Spike Lee's hands, it's by turns ponderous and poignant, procedural and inspiring. The shifts come unexpectedly, so the lengthy running time flies by with little chance for wool-gathering or wondering if you remembered to lock the front door.
It's the early 1970s, and Ron Stallworth (John David Washington, charismatic) -- the first black detective in the Colorado Springs Police Department -- takes on the dangerous yet potentially star-making mission of infiltrating and exposing the Ku Klux Klan. He's lucky to enlist the help of experienced fellow detective Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver, wonderful), to stand in for the possibly more challenging role of playing the physical presence of Ron Stallworth: white supremacist. Amazing, intriguing and edge-of-seat adventures ensue.
The results are stylish, strong, and relevant, although spelling out the results of our country's abysmal racial record at the end doesn't give the audience credit for the ability to think for themselves. With Topher Grace (uncomfortably believable as KKK Grand Wizard David Duke), Laura Harrier.
Papillon (R, 2 hours, 13 minutes) A remake of the 1973 classic with Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman (not sure it needed to be remade, but whatever), this is story of Henri "Papillon" Charriere (Charlie Hunnam), a skilled Parisian safecracker who is framed for murder and sentenced to life in the notorious penal colony on Devil's Island. Finding this unacceptable, he recruits the unreliable aid of convicted counterfeiter Louis Dega (Rami Malek), who in exchange for much-needed protection, agrees to finance Papillon's escape. Directed by Michael Noer.
The Cakemaker (not rated, 1 hour, 53 minutes) A spare, balanced, and affecting melodrama of love and loss in which Berlin baker Thomas (Tim Kalkhof) is devastated when his affair with Oren (Roy Miller), a married man, ends when Oren dies in a car crash in Israel. Once he gets a hold of himself, Thomas assumes a different identity and travels to Jerusalem, where he sidles himself into the life of Anat (Sarah Adler) his lover's widow. Emotional recklessness, conflict and disruption follow. With Zohar Strauss, Sandra Sade; written and directed by Ofir Raul Graizer
Mara (R, 1 hour, 38 minutes) Disorganized, inconsistent, yet surprisingly able to shock now and then, this horror thriller concerns a man who is seemingly strangled in his bed. Criminal psychologist Kate Fuller (Olga Kurylenko), is summoned to interview the victim's 8-year-old daughter, Sophie, supposedly the sole witness, which leads to the discovery of a community of people who claim to be tormented by an ancient demon who kills her victims when they're sleeping.With Mitch Eakins, Javier Botet; directed by Clive Tonge.
American Dresser (not rated, 1 hour, 37 minutes) Why is Gina Gershon always in mediocre movies? And in this case, why are all these fine actors there with her? After the sudden death of his wife and a frayed relationship with his two daughters, Vietnam vet John Moore (Tom Berenger) and his military pal Charlie Wylde (Keith David) decide that the best way to leave their woes behind is to ride their motorcycles from Long Island to the West Coast. The clunky script is in no hurry to get them there. With Elle McLemore, Penelope Ann Miller, Bruce Dern, Jeff Fahey; written and directed by Carmine Cangialosi.
Beyond the Sky (not rated, 1 hour, 22 minutes) After a slow start, this alien-abduction thriller accelerates to offer enough twists and turns to make it almost worthwhile. Documentarian Chris Norton (Ryan Carnes), who has made a career out of debunking reports of UFOs and alien sightings, meets Emily (Jordan Hinson), an apparently sane young woman who is adamant about having been kidnapped by aliens every seven years -- on her birthday. It's coming up in a few days, and Norton can't stay away. With Dee Wallace, Peter Stormare; Directed by Fulvio Sestito.
MovieStyle on 11/09/2018