New movies showing in Minneapolis
By Wendy Schadewald (Rating system: 4=Don’t miss, 3=Good, 2=Worth a look, 1=Forget it)
“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (PG-13) (2.5)
[Intense sequences of violence and action throughout, and some sensuality.] — After Batman (Ben Affleck) makes meticulous plans to kill Superman (Henry Cavill), who is in love with reporter Lois Lane (Amy Adams), because he believes he may be a threat to Earth in this critically lambasted, convoluted, action-packed, fast-paced, special effects laden, star-studded (Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Holly Hunter, Diane Lane, Michael Shannon, Scoot McNairy, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Jena Malone, and Kevin Costner), 3D, overly long, 151-minute thriller, the enemies end up joining forces with Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) to take down a menacing alien monster created by psychotic, power-hungry Lex Luther (Jesse Eisenberg).
“I Saw the Light” (R) (2.5)
[Some language and brief sexuality/nudity.] — Terrific, nostalgic songs highlight this insightful, factually based, unevenly focused, star-dotted (Bradley Whitford, Cherry Jones, and David Krumholtz), 123-minute, 2015 film based on Colin Escott’s biographical novel “Hank Williams: The Biography” that chronicles the short legendary career and tumultuous life of alcoholic Alabama singer/songwriter Hank Williams (Thomas William Hiddleston) from his marriage to Audrey (Elizabeth Chase “Lizzie” Olsen) in 1944, his quick rise to fame in the country music arena composing more than thirty-three singles (such as, “Hey, Good Lookin’,” “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” “Honky Tonk Blues,” “Jambalaya (On the Bayou),” “I Saw the Light,” “Take These Chains from My Heart,” “Move It on Over,” and “Ramblin’ Man”) in six years, to his untimely death at 29 years old to heart disease on Jan. 1., 1953, shortly after marrying his second wife Billie Jean Jones (Madelaine “Maddie” Hasson) in Oct. 1952.
“Midnight Special” (PG-13) (3)
[Some violence and action.] — A suspenseful, well-acted, unusual, evenly paced, star-dotted (Sam Shepard, Kirsten Dunst, Adam Driver, and Bill Camp), 111-minute sci-fi film in which a concerned father (Michael Shannon) and his state trooper best friend (Joel Edgerton) go on the run with his 8-year-old son (Jaeden Lieberher), who has mysterious powers, from a religious cult in Texas while being doggedly pursued by a tenacious FBI agent (Paul Sparks) and cult members (David Jensen, et al.).
“My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” (PG-13) (3)
[Some suggestive material.] — While a smothering, well-meaning Greek housewife (Nia Vardalos) and her high school principal husband (John Corbett) fret over which college their independent, strong-willed, 17-year-old daughter (Elena Kampouris) will attend in this funny, charming, fun-filled, star-studded (Rita Wilson, John Stamos, Bruce Gray, Fiona Reid, and Mark Margolis), 94-minute, romantic comedic sequel to the 2002 blockbuster, her flamboyant parents (Michael Constantine and Lainie Kazan), who have been married for more than 50 years and run a Greek restaurant in Chicago, learn that they are not legally married so the close-knit family (Andrea Martin, Gia Carides, Joey Fatone, Louis Mandylor, Rob Riggle, Alex Wolff, Bess Meisler, et al.) comes together to make things right.
On DVD
“Away from Her” (PG-13) (3)
[Some strong language.] — Sarah Polley’s touching and sad love story about a selfless and patient retired professor (Gordon Pinsent) who grieves the loss of his Alzheimer’s-afflicted wife (Julie Christie) of 44 years when he moves her into an Ontario care facility where she becomes emotionally attached to a disabled mute (Michael Murphy) with little opposition from the staff (Wendy Crewson, Kristen Thomson, et al.) or his wife (Olympia Dukakis).
“Dave Chappelle’s Block Party” (R) (3)
[Language.] — Behind-the-scenes film footage and silly antics are the highlight of the September 18, 2004, hip-hop 2005 concert film in which highly successful, popular comedian David Chapelle organizes a rap block party in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York, and invites New Yorkers and people from his home in Yellow Springs, Ohio, including the Central State University marching band, to his jam fest at which musicians, such as Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Dead Prez, Kanye West, Common, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Cody Chesnutt, John Legend, The Roots, and a reunited Fugees, performed; primarily for hip-hop fans.
“Kill Your Darlings” (R) (3)
[Sexual content, language, drug use, and brief violence.] — A quirky, artsy, dark, well-acted, factually inspired, star-studded (Elizabeth Olsen, Michael C. Hall, David Rasche, Kyra Sedgwick, and John Cullum), 104-minute, 2013 film that focuses on the college years at Columbia University of talented, naive, Jewish poet Allen Ginsberg (Daniel Radcliffe), who has a strained relationship with his parents (David Cross and Jennifer Jason Leigh) in New Jersey, during the early 1940s; his offbeat friendship with Lucien Carr (Dane DeHaan), William S. Burroughs (Ben Foster); and Jack Kerouac (Jack Huston), and a murder that would change his life forever.
“Waitress” (PG-13) (3.5)
[Sexual content, language, and thematic elements.] — A heartwarming and heartbreaking chick flick about a resigned, unhappy, and pregnant waitress (Keri Russell) stuck in a loveless, stifling marriage to a selfish, jealous, vile husband (Jeremy Sisto) who finds joy in making delicious and inventive pies, camaraderie with her coworkers (Cheryl Hines and Adrienne Shelly) at a small-town diner owned by a horoscope-loving big tipper (Andy Griffith), and passion and hope with a neurotic, kindhearted, married obstetrician (Nathan Fillion).
See related: All film on MinnyApple.com
©1986 through 2016 by Wendy Schadewald. The preceding films were reviewed by Wendy Schadewald, who has been a Twin Cities film critic since 1986. To see more of her film reviews, log on to 60-Second Film Reviews.
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