There Are More Spring Films

by Sandra Olmsted

While ‘AVENGERS: ENDGAME’ (Disney/Marvel), the big kahuna of movies this week, and perhaps even the month, depending on how saturation release goes, needs little advertisement and spoiling isn’t cool, there are several films in theaters now which aren’t shrimps and deserve some acknowledgment.

‘AMAZING GRACE’ (Neon) Paired with a performance by the Southern California Community Choir, Archive footage bring Aretha Franklin, Reverand James Cleveland, C.L. Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Bernard Pretty Purdie, Chuck Rainey, and Clara Ward to life. Directors Alan Elliott and Sydney Pollack’s documentary presents Aretha Franklin with the choir at the New Bethel Baptist Church in Watts, Los Angeles in January 1972. This documentary is an opportunity to listen one more time to the heavenly tones of Aretha’s voice raising the roof and the soul and to experience this not-to-be-missed love letter to African-American church services. Rated G; 89 min.

‘BREAKTHROUGH’ (FOX) Director Roxann Dawson brings this locally-connected, true story, based on the inspirational and unfaltering love against impossible odds, to the big screen as a reminder that faith and love can create a mountain of hope, and sometimes even a miracle. When Joyce Smith’s (Chrissy Metz) adopted son John (Marcel Ruiz), 14, falls through the icy Lake Saint Louis, all hope seems lost, yet, as John lies lifeless, Joyce refuses to give up. Her steadfast belief inspires those around her to continue to pray for John’s recovery, even in the face of every case history and scientific prediction. Topher Grace, Josh Lucas, Dennis Haysbert, Mike Colter, and Sam Trammell also star. PG for thematic content including peril; 116 min.

‘LITTLE’ (Universal) Regina Hall or ‘Girl Trip’ fame and Marsai Martin from ‘Black-ish’ both star as Jordan Sanders: Hall as the take-no-prisoners tech mogul adult version of Jordan, and Martin as the 13-year-old version of her who wakes up in her adult self’s penthouse just before a big presentation. Issa Rae of ‘Insecure’ fame plays Jordan’s long-suffering assistant April, the only one who knows that her tormentor/boss is trapped in an awkward tween body just as everything is on the line. Director Tina Gordan uses irreverent humor in her film about the price of success, the power of sisterhood, and the second chance to grow up right. PG-13 for some suggestive content. 109 min.

‘MISSING LINK’ (Laika) Considering himself to be the world’s foremost investigator of myths and monsters, despite none of the high-society adventuring elite recognizing his talent, Sir Lionel Frost (Hugh Jackman) set out to prove himself. He travels to America’s Pacific Northwest in search of the legendary, living remnant of Man’s primitive ancestry, The Missing Link. Once Frost and “Mr. Link” (Zach Galifianakis) meet, They find a shared humanity. Worried is the last of his kind, Mr. Link recruits Frost to help find his long-lost “cousins” halfway around the world. Along with adventurer Adelina Fortnight (Zoe Saldana), this trio of explorers seeks the fabled valley of Shangri-La. Writer/Director Chris Butler pairs slapstick fun with the Laika’s characteristic offbeat humor for many delightful moments. David Walliams and Stephen Fry also star. Laika Entertainment, which also produced one of my favorite films, ParaNorman, teamed with Annapurna Pictures for this film. PG for action/peril and some mild rude humor; 94 min.

‘PENGUINS’ (DisneyNature) Ed Helms narrates directors Alastair Fothergill and Jeff Wilson’s coming-of-age story about an Adélie penguin named Steve who joins millions of fellow males in the icy Antarctic spring on a quest to build a suitable nest, find a life partner, and start a family. None of it comes easily for him, especially considering he’s targeted by everything from killer whales to leopard seals, who unapologetically threaten his happily ever after. Rated G, 76 min.

‘THE CURSE OF LA LLORONA’ (Warner Bros.) The iconic Latin American legend comes to terrifying life in an original horror film, marking the feature directorial debut of Michael Chaves. In 1973 Los Angeles, Anna Tate-Garcia (Linda Cardellini) struggles to balance being a social worker and widowed single mother while still coping with her loss. As a skeptic serving a city of believers, Anna has navigated a multitude of phantoms and superstitions and usually finds personal demons lurking beneath. When she’s called to the home of Patricia Alvarez (Patricia Velasquez) and finds Patricia’s two young sons locked in a closet, Anna interprets their terrified mother’s desperate efforts to keep them “safe” as a dangerous sign of abuse. In the deepest hours of the night, a haunting cry echoes through the corridors of the children’s shelter where the two boys sleep. Has Anna unleashed La Llorona, the vengeful, jealous, ghost who steals children, on modern-day Los Angels? Will Anna’s own children be next? Can Rafael Olvera (Raymond Cruz), a former priest-turned-curandero, bringing his powerful faith and arsenal of spiritual totems to the battle. R for violence and terror; 109 min.

Once the fun and excitement of ‘AVENGERS: ENDGAME’ is over, these films offer other opportunities for entertainment and enlightenment!

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