Last of the Summer Movies

By Sandra Olmsted

Before the leaves begin to change, there are a few movies in the theaters to catch or perhaps avoid, depending on ones tastes. Here’s a summary of the late summer and early Fall films

Hell or High Water

These must see films are in theaters now, as are all these films. For adults, Hell or High Water (CBS Films) tops the list. In this delicious Neo-Western, two brothers set out to save the ranch and teach the evil bank a lesson. (R for some strong violence, language throughout and brief sexuality; 102 minutes.)

Kubo and the Two Strings

Another must see, but geared for the whole family is Kubo and the Two Strings (Focus). From the award-winning animation studio LAIKA comes a beautifully animated epic quest. Kubo must use his magical musical instrument to battle gods and monsters and unlock the secret of his legacy, reunite his family, and fulfill his heroic destiny. (PG for thematic elements, scary images, action and peril; 101 minutes.)

Our Little Sister

Several other films fall into the category of must see for specific audiences. The Japanese film, Our Little Sister (Sony Picture Classics) chronicles three sisters’ meeting their half sister for the first time and explores the meaning of family. Beautiful cinematography comments the lavish truths in the film. (PG for thematic elements and brief language; 128 minutes; subtitled.)

The Light Between Oceans

For those who enjoy historical romances, The Light Between Oceans (Dreamworks) will be just the ticket even though it’s a weeper. Amidst the stark and isolated beauty of a remote island off Western Australia, a lighthouse keeper and his wife, a childless couple who long for a family they seemingly can’t have, find a child delivered by the ocean. They keep the girl as their own with devastating consequences. Based on a novel, which the film follows closely. (PG-13 for thematic material and some sexual content; 132 minutes.)

Equity

   Equity (Sony Picture Classics) offers a whole new take on the Chick Flick. In this Wall Street thrill for those who prefer suspense without gore, a female investment banker fights her way to the top despite financial crises, suspect loyalties, and controversial deals. All the while maintaining a carefully calibrated life of ambition, competition, and privacy. The film is directed, written, produced, and financed by women who are leaders in entertainment and finance. (R for language throughout; 100 minutes.)

Don’t Breathe

For those who prefer their thrillers with a helping of gore, Don’t Breathe (Screen Gems) offers Hitchcockian suspense and many surprises and scares when thieves break into the house of a wealthy blind man, but find they are trapped. (R for terror, violence, disturbing content, and language including sexual references; 88 minutes.)

Hands of Stone

For fans of sports films, especially boxing films, Hands of Stone (The Weinstein Co.) is the best ringside seat. Both biopic and a champion of a boxing film, it chronicles how legendary boxer Roberto Duran and his celebrated trainer Ray Arcel changed each others’ lives between 1964 through 1983 — the Golden Age of boxing, (R for language throughout and some sexuality/nudity; 105 minutes.)

   Kubo and the Two Strings, a must-see movie, from the award-winning animation studio LAIKA.

War Dogs

Although the following films are of more limited appeal, either because of the genre and subject matter or the target audience, each has the potential to find the right audience. War Dogs (Warner Bros.) is the true story 20-somethings who became arms salesmen during the Bush-Cheney invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. Because the film vacillates between commentary on the politics of war and buddy-film comedy, it can’t completely please either the political junkies or the fans of juvenile humor.

The 9^th Life of Louis Drax

In The 9th Life of Louis Drax (Lionsgate), a psychologist treats a young boy who has suffered a near-fatal fall. But is the boy a victim or a monster? Answering that question will test the psychologist’s beliefs about the boundaries of fantasy and reality. This uneven film’s complex but interesting structure can seem as if there isn’t a coherent plot, but the key is to think in terms of the story being told through magical realism. (R for some disturbing images and brief strong language; 108 minutes.)

Mechanic: Resurrection

The following films offer very little and are not recommended. Mechanic: Resurrection (Lionsgate) offers elaborately staged action sequences and little in the way of a story line except the Mechanic, a master of murder, mayhem, and MacGyver-like cleverness, has to kill the bad guys who kidnapped the love of his life. (R for violence throughout and language: 98 minutes.)

Ben-Hur

The lackluster Ben-Hur (Paramount) has problems with the scaled-back story, a less than handsome hero, and special effects of questionable quality. Skip this remake of the epic historical drama told best in the 1959 version, in which the special effects are old school but well done. (PG-13 for sequences of violence and disturbing images; 124 minutes.)

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