Arties:
Dragon Inn/ Touch of Zen (Not Rated) 1 hr. 28 min. – Not Screened
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzs95AhUh_Y]
The Chinese wuxia (martial arts) picture was never the same after King Hu’s legendary Dragon Inn. During the Ming Dynasty, the emperor’s minister of defense is framed by a powerful court eunuch and then executed; his children are pursued by secret police. In the ensuing chase, a mysterious group of strangers begin to gather at the remote Dragon Gate Inn, where paths (and swords) will cross. This thrilling milestone of film history returns to the screen in a new, beautifully restored 4K digital transfer, created from the original camera negative.
Director: King Hu
Starring: Lingfeng Shangguan, Chun Shih, Ying Bai
Pele: Birth of a Ledgend (PG) 1 hr. 47 min. – 2 stars
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBrfxHOXsDE]
Pele’s meteoric rise from the slums of Sao Paulo to leading to Brazil to its first World Cup victory at the age of 17 is chronicled in this biographical drama.
Director: Jeff Zimbalist, Michael Zimbalist
Starring: Vincent D’Onofrio, Rodrigo Santoro, Diego Boneta
Fartsies:
The Angry Birds Movie (PG) 97 min. – 1.5 stars
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U2DKKqxHgE]
The movie takes us to an island populated entirely by happy, flightless birds – or almost entirely. In this paradise, Red (Jason Sudeikis – We’re the Millers, Horrible Bosses), a bird with a temper problem, speedy Chuck (Josh Gad in his first animated role since Frozen), and the volatile Bomb (Danny McBride – This is the End, Eastbound and Down) have always been outsiders. But when the island is visited by mysterious green piggies, it’s up to these unlikely outcasts to figure out what the pigs are up to.
Director: Clay Kaytis, Fergal Reilly
Starring: Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride
The Meddler (PG-13) 1 hr. 40 min. – 3 stars
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbN58_kYZrU]
An aging widow from New York City follows her daughter to Los Angeles in hopes of starting a new life after her husband passes away.
Director: Lorene Scafaria
Starring: Susan Sarandon, Rose Byrne, J.K. Simmons
Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (R) 92 min. – 3 stars
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2i9Zz_AqTg]
After a sorority moves in next door, which is even more debaucherous than the fraternity before it, Mac and Kelly have to ask for help from their former enemy, Teddy.
Director: Nicholas Stoller
Starring: Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne, Zac Efron
The Nice Guys (R) 1 hr. 56 min. – 3.5 stars
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxW4LZCYfvs]
A mismatched pair of private eyes investigate the apparent suicide of a fading porn star in 1970s Los Angeles.
Director: Shane Black
Starring: Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Angourie Rice
Next Week
- Alice Through the Looking Glass
- A Bigger Splash
- The Lobster
- Love & Friendship
- X-Men: Apocalypse
