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What's Showing In Independent, Foreign & Documentary Film, May 1

Explore the story behind the mysterious gnome houses that appeared along a local walkway, and get the inside scoop on a special group of studio musicians. These stories and more are appearing on local screens this weekend, and our indie, foreign and documentary film critics know which ones are worth the ticket price.

The Gnomist,  special showing at the Jewish Community Center May 9

  • Cynthia Haines: "Aspiring filmmakers could learn from her. All too often their films are way too long."
  • Bob Butler: "I much prefer the short version. You’re dealing with a very subtle and fragile idea here and the more weight you pile upon it, the more likely it is to collapse."

Clouds of Sils Maria, R, showing at the Tivoli and Glenwood Arts

  • Bob: "The acting is so great that it compensates for the flaws. This is a film that is much more interested in suggesting things than stating things."
  • Cynthia: "Everything wasn’t tied up in the end or even throughout the film."

The Salt of the Earth, PG-13, showing at the Tivoli, Glenwood Arts, AMC Studio 28

  • Bob: "Sebastião Salgado-- You don’t know him by name, but like Ansel Adams, he has a style that is uniquely his own. He makes beautiful pictures of often ugly situations."
  • Cynthia: "Loved it. I put this guy in a class of his own."

The Wrecking Crew, PG, showing at the Tivoli 

  • Cynthia: "If you like that kind of music, run, don’t walk, to this documentary. It is a fascinating look at these very, very talented studio musicians. If you’ve liked 20 Feet From Stardom and Muscle Shoals, you’ll like this."
  • Bob: "My one caveat is that I think it’s maybe 20 minutes too long, but for the information and nostalgic rush, it’s worth it."

5 to 7, R, showing at Glenwood Arts 

  • Cynthia: "It just degenerates…this might as well have been a TV show."

Ex Machina, R, showing at Alamo Drafthouse, Cinemark Palace, Screenland Armour, AMC Ward Parkway, Cinemark 20, AMC Barrywoods, AMC Independence, AMC Studio 28, B&B Lee's Summit, Cinetopia, Phoenix Theatres Legends 

  • Bob: "It’s science fiction, but it’s almost not. It’s so close to being the real thing. It’s a very twisty and gnarly love story. It reminds me of The Island of Dr. Moreau."
  • Cynthia: "[Alicia Vikander] makes the movie. There are so many twists and turns in the plot, it just keeps you going."

True Story,  R, AMC Ward Parkway, Cinemark 20, AMC Barrywoods, AMC Independence, AMC Studio 28, Cinetopia, Glenwood Arts

  • Cynthia: "It would have been much better as a play. If you’re interested in this genre, Primal Fear is the gold standard, and this one doesn’t begin to compare."

Seymour: An Introduction, PG, showing at Glenwood Arts

  • Bob: "He’s so gentle, and he’s so kind, and yet he always steers students to a less egocentric way of presenting the material. You don’t have to be a pianist to appreciate this."
    Our critics loved Helen Mirren but were less impressed with Ryan Reynolds in 'Woman in Gold.'

Woman in Gold, PG-13, showing at Cinemark Palace, Cinemark 20, Rio Theatre, AMC Barrywoods, AMC Independence, AMC Studio 28, AMC Town Center B&B Lee's Summit, B&B Overland Park, B&B Shawnee 

  • Bob: "Helen Mirren is the reason to see this movie. I think she trumps her costar, Ryan Reynolds; she trumps the direction, she trumps everything."
  • Cynthia: "Ryan Reynolds is a one-dimensional character. Anyone else would have been better in the part."

While We're Young, R, showing at the Tivoli, AMC Town Center, Glenwood Arts

  • Cynthia: "I wasn’t enthralled with the performances."
  • Bob: "Too much angst in this film."
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When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.