June 14, 2016 - Pittsburgh City Paper

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Overlook); and Thu., June 22 (Brookline). Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, Wed., June 21 (Schenley: Flagstaff Hill). Films begin at dusk. Free. 412-255-2493 or www.citiparks.net.

FILM CAPSULES CP

= CITY PAPER APPROVED

GUN HILL ROAD. This Bronx-set drama tracks two concurrent journeys: the coming-of-age of transsexual teen-ager Michael, a.k.a. Vanessa, and the struggle of his tough-guy father (Esai Morales), just released from jail, to accept Vanessa’s identity. It’s a sympathetic portrayal that doesn’t offer pat solutions. 7 p.m. Wed., June 14. Alphabet City, 40 W. North Ave., North Side. www.reelq.org. Free

NEW AFTER THE STORM. In this new lowkey drama from Hirokazu Koreeda (Like Father, Like Son), a fractured Japanese family spends some time together (partly due to a rainstorm) and perhaps learns some things about themselves, each other and how to get along better. There’s the elderly granny, who doesn’t want to die with grievances unresolved; her feckless son (Hiroshi Abe), who gambles away his meager salary rather than provide child support; the aggrieved ex-wife; and the boy, caught between the squabbling parents. It’s a gentle tale, with not much plot, that relies on our relating to these common domestic problems and our belief that people can change (if just a bit) and things can get better. Kirin Kiki as the grandmother is quite the scene-stealer, and her character’s sly manipulations, scarred-over heartbreaks and amusing frugality are both familiar and poignant. It’s a quiet piece, but resonant in its humanity and hope. In Japanese, with subtitles. Starts Fri., June 16. Hollywood (Al Hoff)

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FROM THIS DAY FORWARD. Sharon Shattuck’s 2015 documentary recounts her own family’s journey, beginning with her dad transitioning to female while Sharon was in middle school through her parents’ decision to remain together. 6:30 p.m. Thu., June 15. Eddy Theater, Chatham University campus, Shadyside. www.justfilmspgh.org. Free

After the Storm

A WILL FOR THE WOODS. Amy Browne’s 2014 documentary looks at the practice of “green burial” through the preparations of musician, folk dancer and psychiatrist Clark Wang, who is determined to have his death and burial benefit the earth. A postscreening discussion with feature Pete McQuillin and John Davis, of Penn Forest Natural Burial Park. The film continues a series of environmental films. 7 p.m. Fri., June 16. Phipps Conservatory, 1 Schenley Drive, Oakland. Free with regular admission. phipps. conservatory.org

BEATRIZ AT DINNER. Salma Hayek, John Lithgow and Connie Britton star in Miguel Arteta’s comedy, penned by Mike White, about a dinner party. Starts Fri., June 16 THE BOOK OF HENRY. Colin Trevorrow’s drama takes place in a small town where things are not what they seem, and 11-year-old Henry (Jacob Tremblay) has a plan. Starts Fri., June 16 CARS 3. Lightning McQueen is still racing in this ongoing digitally animated story about talking cars; Brian Fee directs. In 3-D, in select theaters. Starts Fri., June 16 47 METERS DOWN. Two sisters are trapped underwater in a shark cage, while the oxygen runs out and deadly fish circle closer. Johannes Roberts directs this thriller. Starts Fri., June 16 I, DANIEL BLAKE. The Kafkaesque bureaucracy of the welfare state complicates life for two well-intended but struggling working-class folk in Ken Loach’s new film (penned by his frequent collaborator Paul Lafferty). Recovering from a heart attack, carpenter Daniel (Dave Johns) is caught between medical disability and employment. There are the endless rounds on telephone hold; trips to the job center, where he’s told to come back with a résumé; a round at the public library trying to learn how to use a computer. Partly to stay busy, he takes a young single mother, Katie (Hayley Squires), under his wing. In a society — both in the U.K. and the U.S. — that seems ever more bureaucratic and tech-driven (customer service is a robot voice), while simultaneously safety nets fray, Loach’s film is exquisitely on point. It’s a heartbreaking, heartwarming and infuriating work, though not without some humor. There’s no pat solution here, but Daniel has one Pyrrhic victory worth a cheer. Starts Fri., June 16. Melwood (AH)

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MY COUSIN RACHEL. Philip (Sam Claflin), due to inherit a country estate in 19th-century England from his recently deceased guardian, grows convinced that the man’s widow, his cousin Rachel, might have killed him. But he is nonetheless surprised and then entranced when Rachel (Rachel Weisz) arrives for a visit. Thus begins a mostly polite round of head games as Philip and Rachel flirt and spar; as

NEWS

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LA PROMESSE. This 1996 drama from Belgian directors Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne portrays a family that falls apart when the teenage son can no longer tolerate the abuses his father inflicts on undocumented immigrant laborers. In French and Romanian, with subtitles. Fri., June 16, through Sun., June 18. Harris

BACK TO THE FUTURE. Through the use of a time machine, young ’80s dude Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) finds himself back in the 1950s, where he’s tasked with getting his parents to hook up, in Robert Zemeckis’ 1985 comedy. Fri., June 16, through Thu., June 22. Row House Cinema

I, Daniel Blake

Paris Can Wait

recounted from Philip’s point of view, we, like him, never have a clear idea of the enigmatic Rachel’s intentions. Roger Michell’s film is adapted from Daphne Du Maurier’s novel, and while it has some broody people and quiet tension, it never really achieves the more entertaining heights of a nervy gothic thriller. It has good actors, truly lovely Cornwall landscapes and the appeal of a genteel parlor drama, but alas, it is a bit too dull and ultimately unknowable for its own good. (AH)

ROUGH NIGHT. Lucia Aniello directs this raunchy comedy about a bachelorette party that goes bad when the hired male stripper dies. Scarlett Johansson, Kate McKinnon, Zoe Kravitz, Jillian Bell and Ilana Glazer stars. Starts Fri., June 16

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK. In Steven Spielberg’s 1981 film, our square-jawed hero, archeologist Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), tackles everything from giant boulders to snakes and conniving Nazis. June 16-20 and June 22. Row House Cinema

WAKEFIELD. Coming home late from his lawyer job in the city, Howard Wakefield — married, father to twin teen girls — impulsively decides to spend the night in the storage room above the garage of his suburban home. Then, Howard (Bryan Cranston) opts to stay there, without communicating his presence to anyone. He watches through the window as his family freaks out over his absence, and then, as the days roll by, how they go on without him. Despite having no mod cons, Howard revels in his newfound freedom, enjoying the primal nature of having to scavenge for survival. Beyond a few flashbacks, Wakefield is a one-man vehicle for Cranston, who is fantastic, cycling through the variety of emotions that comprise Howard’s breakdown and disappearance from his own life. His work holds Robin Swicord’s film together, though it’s hard to shake the nagging thought that the world may not need another exploration of a privileged white middle-aged male in crisis. Starts Fri., June 16. Manor (AH)

THE PRINCESS BRIDE. Rob Reiner’s 1987 film is that rare bird — a film to delight children and adults alike, an upbeat fairy tale with romance, comedy, swordplay and deliciously quotable lines. June 16-19 and June 21-22. Row House Cinema

PARIS CAN WAIT. After her movie-producer husband (Alec Baldwin) leaves for Budapest, Anne (Diane Lane) opts to take a car journey from Cannes to Paris in the company of his business associate, Jacques (Arnaud Viard). A relatively short drive turns into a leisurely two-day sojourn as Jacques — a committed sensualist — insists on stopping at top-rated bistros, Roman ruins and rose gardens, and throwing impromptu picnics. (Many bottles of fine wine are enjoyed.) The journey — and the film — gets off on an awkward foot; the set-up seems forced. But by the midway point, the film, like Jacques and Anne, has settled into a comfortable groove, and the time spent in this company grows more enjoyable. There is much food porn, a light Euro-jazz score, plenty of sunny scenery and, in time, a couple of potentially life-changing (albeit low-key) realizations. The film is the debut feature of writer-director Eleanor Coppola, the 80-year-old wife of Francis Ford Coppola, who likely knows a thing or two about being the wife of a movie man, good wine and the nice parts of France. It’s not breaking any new ground, and the characterization are thin and border on stereotypical, but hey, it’s a nice drive if you can afford it. Starts Fri., June 16. Manor, Tull Family Theater (AH)

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ARTS

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EVENTS

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REPERTORY DOLLAR BANK CINEMA IN THE PARK. Ghostbusters, Wed., June 14 (Schenley: Flagstaff Hill) and Sat., June 17 (Riverview Park). Sing, Thu., June 15 (Brookline); Fri., June 16 (Arsenal); and Sat., June 17 (Grandview). The LEGO Batman Movie, Sun., June 18 (Schenley Plaza); Tue., June 20 (West End/Elliott

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SCREEN

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THE SHINING. Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 adaptation of Stephen King’s novel drops some of the supernatural elements in favor of omnipresent dread and a meditation about the collapsing family unit, but it’s still a freaky, hair-raising ride. With Jack Nicholson. Fri., June 16, through Wed., June 21. Row House Cinema MICHELANGELO: LOVE AND DEATH. David Bickerstaff directs this new documentary about the Renaissance artist. Both his life and his artwork are explored. 2 and 4 p.m. Sat., June 17; and 2 p.m. Sun., June 18. Hollywood FREEDOM TO MARRY. Eddie Rosenstein’s recent documentary charts the decades-long fight to win marriage rights for gay couples, culminating in 2015’s landmark Supreme Court decision that guaranteed same-sex marriage. The film features two of the keep-it-steady lawyers — Evan Wolfson, founder and president of Freedom to Marry, and Mary Bonauto, an attorney with GLAD — who help craft and deliver the winning argument. Wolfson, a native of Pittsburgh, will attend the screening and lead a Q&A. 2 p.m. Sun., June 18. SouthSide Works. $10

SPORTS

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CLASSIFIEDS

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