DALLAS — ARTHUR THE KING
The biggest of the small movies opening this week might turn out to be about a racer and a stray dog!
Based on a true story, Mark Wahlberg stars as an adventure racer who flubbed his last finish, so he assembles a team to try to win one last time. Ten days in the Dominican Republic over all sorts of terrain, it ain’t easy! Kudos to the team which also includes Simu Liu. But to the sweet part: a stray dog, they name ‘Arthur’ begins to tag along, and gives the team the lift they need, 'til the dog's own illness threatens their finish.
This is a heartfelt film - perfect for the family (minus a little cussing). By the way, Wahlberg admits to bribing the dog with filet mignon! How can I join that team?
(Lionsgate. Rated PG-13. Running Time 1 hr. 30 mins. In Theaters Only)
ONE LIFE
You can learn a lot when you see movies. I had no idea that on the brink of World War II, a British broker named Nicky Winton, arranged a kinder transport for Jewish children to escape Czechoslovakia before the Nazi invasion. Sir Anthony Hopkins plays him in the 1980s, still wracked by guilt over those he couldn't save. Johnny Flynn plays the younger Winton. It's great casting which also includes Helena Bonham Carter as his mom (and she'd say, the source of his chutzpah!). A popular TV show gets wind of Winton's great work, and it's a beautiful moment. This is also a beautiful movie. The kids just thinking they’re going into foster care, when we know in hindsight, they’ll never see their parents again, is heartbreaking.
(Bleecker Street. Rated PG. Running Time 1 hr. 50 mins. In Theaters Only)
LOVE LIES BLEEDING
Not for the family, but quite entertaining is the pulpy "Love Lies Bleeding." Set in 1980s New Mexico, Kristen Stewart plays 'Lou' who manages a low-rent gym. She mostly keeps to herself, until an amateur bodybuilder, 'Jackie,' played by Katy O'Brian, rolls into town. They fall in love. Lou shares her stash of steroids. And when Jackie realizes Lou's sister is a victim of domestic violence, 'roid rage’ ensues. And it all snowballs. (Tough to do in the desert) We also discover the seedy past of Lou's dad played by Ed Harris, with the craziest hairstyle you've seen in a while.
The film is described a dark comedy, but the laughs come with shocking violence. More than once I yelled out “Aw, c’mon!” (Good thing it was a private screening.) It’s the second feature by British filmmaker Rose Glass, and it makes me want to check out her first.
(A24. Rated R. Running Time 1 hr. 44 mins. In Theaters Only)
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MAGICAL NEGROES
This one is odd to describe. A struggling black artist named ‘Aren,’ played by Justice Smith, encounters a man in an alley (David Alan Grier) who invites him into a secret club called "The American Society of Magical Negroes." Here are the ground rules: they go out into the world to make white people feel more comfortable around blacks! The conflict arises when Aren's 'white person' has a crush on the same girl that Aren does, and he must decide whether he must do the right thing or scrap his membership in the society.
After the Oscar-winning "American Fiction," this satire pales in comparison. Clever, but not near as smart or engaging.
(Focus Features. Rated PG-13 Running Time 1 h4. 44 mins. In Theaters Only)
THE NEON HIGHWAY
"The Neon Highway" stars Beau Bridges as 'Claude,' a washed-up country music legend. Rob Mayes plays a rising star whose dream was derailed by a family tragedy. Now a phone repair guy, he meets Claude on a service call, shares a song he'd written, and he and Claude head to Nashville to try to strike a record deal. Of course, Claude's been out of circulation for a while, and the business can get dirty.
This is a decent, low-budget movie. Always nice to see Bridges. You can check out Mayes' recordings. A new one comes out on March 22.
(Mountain Movies. Rated Pg-13. Running Time 1 hr. 53 mins. In Theaters Only-Limited)
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