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Up To Date

Up To Date's Indie, Foreign & Doc Critics' 'Three To See,' March 30-April 1

Thomas Reidelsheimer
/
Magnolia Pictures
The documentary "Leaning into the Wind," focuses on artist and environmentalist Andy Goldsworth and his relationship to land and art.

With sunshine showing up Friday and possible snow appearing on Sunday, it feels like spring is teasing us. Throw in April Fool's Day at the end of the weekend and it may feel like everyone and everything is out to trick you. There is something you can trust, though, and that's Up To Date's indie, foreign and documentary Film Critics' weekend flick picks. 

Steve Walker

"Loveless," R

  • Russia's bleak but captivating Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Language Film about a squabbling couple so self-absorbed with their phones and extra-marital affairs they don't notice their 12-year-old son has been missing for two days.

"Leaning into the Wind," Not rated

  • This documentary explores what earth artist Andy Goldsworthy has been up to since his iconic "Spiral Jetty," including the carving of sleeping berths into rocks that look oddly comfortable.

'The Death of Stalin," R

  • The political satirist responsible for "Veep" and "In the Loop," Armando Iannucci, is at the helm of this morbidly entertaining comedy about Stalin's underlings jockeying for position after the leader's inconvenient, messy demise.

Cynthia Haines

"Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story," Not rated

  • You likely remember her as a glamorous Hollywood it-girl, but this documentary, written and directed by journalist Angela Dean, also explores the innovative and inventive legacy of "the most beautiful woman in the world," as she was often billed.

"Leaning into the Wind," Not rated

  • This documentary, directed by Thomas Riedelsheimer, explores the work of artist Andy Goldsworthy and the impact it's had on his life. This film comes 16 years after "Rivers and Tides - Andy Goldsworthy Working with Time," another collaboration between this director and artist.

'The Death of Stalin," R

  • Power-hungry political figures fight for control of the Soviet Union after Joseph Stalin's death in this sharp comedy featuring Steve Buscemi and Jeffrey Tambor.
Since 1998, Steve Walker has contributed stories and interviews about theater, visual arts, and music as an arts reporter at KCUR. He's also one of Up to Date's regular trio of critics who discuss the latest in art, independent and documentary films playing on area screens.