This weekend, Hollywood delivers the documentary in various flavors. There’s a real world of Kirsten Johnson the film maker, the real life pseudo creation and alter ego of writer JT LeRoy. Clint Eastwood’s latest film is the true life story of Sully, the brave pilot who ditched his damage plane in the Hudson River saving all on board only to be scrutinized for his heroism.
Finally, the whole family will enjoy an animated film about the ship wrecked Robinson Crusoe; yes there is a backstory. There are also a few foreign films to entertain the movie goer with ‘big brains.’ Kate Beckinsale, Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart and the real author JT LeRoy bring movie magic to your neighborhood this weekend.
Enjoy the movies this weekend – I always do!
Dancer (2016)
Documentary
Director: Steven Cantor
Stars: Sergei Polunin
The world of an accomplished dancer is a life of commitment and dark night. International dancer Sergei Polunin pulls back the curtain in this Steven Cantor documentary about dance and isolation. [watch trailer
Other People (2016)
97 min – Drama
Director: Chris Kelly
Stars: Jesse Plemons, Bradley Whitford, Zach Woods, Maude Apatow
We’ve all had them, those tough lulls in our lives times. In the movie ‘Other People’ a hard luck comedy writer, travels to Sacramento to care for his dying mother just when life was beginning to turn around.
[watch trailer]
Demon (2015)
(R) 94 min – Horror
Director: Marcin Wrona
Stars: Itay Tiran, Agnieszka Zulewska, Andrzej Grabowski, Tomasz Schuchardt
Horror and frightened wedding guests meet in this artful take on the Jewish legend of the dybbuk.[watch trailer]
Come What May (2015)
(R) 114 min – Drama | War
Director: Christian Carion
Stars: August Diehl, Olivier Gourmet, Mathilde Seigner, Alice Isaaz
In May of 1940, German troops enter France in their WWII occupation. As French families are scattered across Europe, two lovers and their families fight the odds to find safety and sense of what is happening to them? The foreign film is both romantic and exciting. [watch trailer]
The Wild Life (2016)
(PG) 90 min – Animation
Directors: Vincent Kesteloot | Ben Stassen
Stars: Matthias Schweighöfer, Kaya Yanar, Ilka Bessin, Dieter Hallervorden
A brave and sharing parrot reveals the real story if the family Robinson Crusoe and the story behind his are stranded on a tropical island. Take the little ones to this film! [watch trailer]
Author: The JT LeRoy Story (2016)
(R) 110 min – Documentary
Stars: Laura Albert, Bruce Benderson, Dennis Cooper, Panio Gianopoulos
Spolier Alert: There is no real person/author by the name of JT LeRoy. This bestselling author is really the fictional character of American author Laura Albert. It’s not unusual for an author to have a ‘Penn name,’ What is rare is when that pseudo character decides to live a famous life in front of the public as that penn name. This is one of the most interesting films of the year. [watch trailer]
Kicks (2016)
(R) 80 min – Adventure
Director: Justin Tipping
Stars: Jahking Guillory, Christopher Jordan Wallace, Christopher Meyer, Kofi Siriboe
The city of Oakland California is not for the brave at heart. Brandon is a 15 year old who dreams of one day owning a pair of Jordan shoes. As fate would have it, he does acquire the prize, but has them stolen by sinister gang forces. The film will help us travel through Oakland for this journey to retrieve them. [watch trailer]
Cameraperson (2016)
(NR) 102 min – Documentary
Director: Kirsten Johnson
Stars: Kirsten Johnson
This is a rare look shown in an artful documentary depicting the life and career of cinematographer Kirsten Johnson. [watch trailer]
When the Bough Breaks (2016)
(PG-13) 107 min – Drama – Thriller
Director: Jon Cassar
Stars: Morris Chestnut, Regina Hall, Romany Malco, Glenn Morshower
What do you do when a surrogate mom becomes dangerously obsessed with the soon-to-be father? Imagine ‘When the Bough Breaks’ meets ‘Single White Woman.’ [watch trailer]
Sully (2016)
(PG-13) 96 min – Biography | Drama
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Tom Hanks, Anna Gunn, Laura Linney, Aaron Eckhart
This film depicts the real life story of Chesley Sullenberger, (Sully) who is forced to safely ditch a plane filled with passengers in the waters of the Hudson River, saving everyone. It’s not that easy or charming of an aftermath for Sully and his family.’ [watch trailer]
The Disappointments Room (2016)
(R) 100 min – Horror
Director: D.J. Caruso
Stars: Kate Beckinsale, Lucas Till, Michaela Conlin, Michael Landes
A mother and her young son live on a farm with evil spirits.’ [watch trailer]
—
Photo Credit: Kzenon / Shutterstock.com