It's going to be another long, hot weekend in Kansas City. If you need an excuse not to mow the lawn or trim the hedges, Up To Date's indie, foreign and documentary Film Critics have you covered. Their weekend movie recommendations are a perfect way to keep cool, even if you won't be as productive as you might have liked.
Cynthia Haines
Letters From Baghdad, Not rated
- A documentary about Gertrude Bell, the female British explorer, spy, and diplomat who helped reshape the Middle East after World War I. It was produced and directed by Kansas City native Zeva Oelbaum, who discussed her film with Steve Kraske on September 12.
Viceroy's House, Not rated
- Britain's last viceroy of India is tasked with overseeing the territory's transition to an independent nation. All hopes for a peaceful transfer of power are blown apart by a riddling conflict of race, religion and ideology.
Rebel in the Rye, PG-13
- A film exploring the early life and career of American author J.D. Salinger, who penned the novel The Catcher in the Rye. This biopic covers the emotional conflict and romantic life of the reclusive, eccentric author.
Steve Walker
Stronger, R
- The tragic story of Jeff Bauman, who lost both his legs below the knees in the Boston Marathon bombing, is brought to life in a powerful performance by Jake Gyllenhaal, who is at once contentious, fatalistic, flawed and inspirational.
Trophy, Not Rated
- Blood and big money fitfully intermingle in Shaul Schwarz’s astute, disturbing documentary exploring the contradictory relationships in Africa between big game breeders, big game hunters, conservationists and anti-poachers.
Rebel in the Rye, PG-13
- Nicholas Hoult impresses as a young J.D. Salinger, captured as an aspirational college student, a struggling writer, a veteran who returns shell-shocked from World War II, and ultimately a famous author with crazy fans and steely convictions.
