Artsies:
— A Little Chaos (R) 116 Min. – 2 stars
A romantic drama following Sabine, a strong-willed and talented landscape designer who is chosen to build one of the main gardens at King Louis XIV’s new palace at Versailles. In her new position of power, she challenges gender and class barriers while also becoming professionally and romantically entangled with the court’s renowned landscape artist André Le Notre.
Director: Alan Rickman
Actors: Kate Winslet, Matthias Schoenaerts, Alan Rickman, Stanley Tucci
— The Strongest Man (Unrated) 99 Min. – 2.5 stars
A young bodybuilder, Gaëtan sculpts his body deep within the mountains, striving for seemingly impossible physical perfection. His imposing physique encases his humble and caring nature, and Gaëtan uses his physical prowess to help those in need: injured skiers on vast mountain slopes or swimmers in potential danger on the shore. The gorgeous natural landscapes all around him serve as framework to this story of a man pursuing his own self-imposed idea of excellence. Gaëtan is meticulous in his regimen, checking every angle, but never fully feeling as though he is ready to compete in bodybuilding competitions. With the tender support of his girlfriend, he dreams of a day when he is considered one of the greats; but for now, he roams the mountainsides to both bulk himself up and rescue otherstrying in this small way to be a larger-than-life hero.
Director: Kenny Riches
Actors: Robert Lorie, Patrick Fugit, Paul G. Chamberlain
Fartsies:
— Max (PG) 111 Min. – 2 stars
A precision-trained military dog, Max serves on the frontlines in Afghanistan alongside his handler, U.S. Marine Kyle Wincott. But when things go terribly wrong on maneuvers, Kyle is mortally wounded and Max, traumatized by the loss of his best friend, is unable to remain in service. Shipped stateside, the only human he seems willing to connect with is Kyle’s teenage brother, Justin, so Max is adopted by Kyle’s family, essentially saving his life. But Justin has issues of his own, such as living up to his father’s expectations for him; he isn’t interested in taking responsibility for his brother’s troubled dog. However, Max may be Justin’s only chance to discover what really happened to his brother that day on the front, and with the help of a tough-talking young teen, Carmen, who has a way with dogs, Justin begins to appreciate his canine companion.
Director: Boaz Yakin
Actors: Jay Hernandez, Luke Kleintank, Robbie Amell, Robbie Amell
— Ted 2 (R) 115 Min. – 2.5 stars
Newlywed couple Ted and Tami-Lynn want to have a baby, but in order to qualify to be a parent, Ted will have to prove he’s a person in a court of law.
Director: Seth MacFarlane
Actors: Mark Wahlberg, Seth MacFarlane, Amanda Seyfried, Jessica Barth
— Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (PG-13) 104 Min. – 3.5 stars
Winner of the 2015 Sundance Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award, ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL is the story of Greg Gaines (Thomas Mann), an awkward high school senior whose mom forces him to spend time with Rachel – a girl in his class (Olivia Cooke) with whom he hasn’t spoken to since kindergarten – who was just diagnosed with cancer.
Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
Actors: Thomas Mann, R.J. Cyler, Olivia Cooke
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Next week:
— Felix & Melia
— Magic Mike XXL
— The Overnight
— A Poem Is a Naked Person
— Terminator Genisys
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Pick of the week:
— Fear No Film Festival, short films playing in conjunction with the Utah Arts Festival, at the City Library auditorium Thursday through Sunday. Free – don’t even need to attend the rest of the festival, but why wouldn’t you?
