Results,
directed by Andrew Bujalski
(R, 105 minutes)
Fans of offbeat and unpredictable plotlines will find much to admire in this talky, quirky comedy. It concerns Danny (Kevin Corrigan), a chunky, miserable, suddenly rich guy living in a semi-furnished mansion in Austin, Texas, who finds some relief from his wretchedness at a gym owned by ambitious fitness fanatic Trevor (Guy Pearce). A tart-tongued, ill-humored and overly aggressive trainer named Kat (Cobie Smulders), employed in an effort to painstakingly whip Danny into better physical condition, adds to the intrigue.
Whether Danny gets in shape is not the point. Results is all about curious characters who, despite not doing much, often behave badly (or at least inappropriately) while still managing to be likable in ways you'd never imagine possible.
With Brooklyn Decker, Giovanni Ribisi.
Pitch Perfect 2 (PG-13, 114 minutes) This sequel to the surprise 2012 hit Pitch Perfect lacks the original's charm, replacing it with gaudy, flashy exuberance. It again stars Anna Kendrick as Beca, a talented member of a highly competitive a cappella college singing group. With Brittany Snow, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld; directed by Elizabeth Banks.
Saint Laurent (R, 135 minutes) -- The second (and slightly better) of two recent high profile films about fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent (after 2014's Yves St. Laurent), Bertrand Bonello's film focuses on a relatively short period in the designer's life (the mid-'60s through the mid-'70s) in which he was at the height of his power. Gaspard Ulliel is a bit less fluttery than Pierre Nimey was in the role, and apparently more confident in his decisions, though just as trapped in his role. A lavish, fever dream of a bio-pic, Bonello's movie is overlong and somehow sketchy, heavy on beautiful imagery and low on insight.
Breaker Morant (PG, 107 minutes) The movie that put Australia on the filmmaking map in 1980, now available on Blu-ray, concerns the injustice and betrayals inherent in war. Englishman Henry (Breaker) Morant (Edward Woodward), living in Australia at the end of the 19th century, volunteers for duty when war breaks out in 1899 between Britain and the Boers. His orders to execute several Boer prisoners lead to his court martial, with tragic results. With Bryan Brown, Jack Thompson, John Waters; directed by Bruce Beresford.
In the Name of My Daughter (R, 116 minutes) An uneven and often baffling double-crossing mystery about power, money and crime that begins when Agnes Le Roux (Adele Haenel) leaves Africa after her marriage disintegrates. She moves to the south of France to live with her mother, Renee (Catherine Deneuve), owner of the Palais de la Méditerranée casino in Nice, where she falls under the sway of older Maurice Agnelet (Guillaume Canet), a lawyer and her mother's business partner. Sneaky business dealings commence, followed by Agnes' sudden disappearance. Directed by Andre Techine.
American Heist (R, 94 minutes) Nobody found this mediocre and cliche-ridden crime drama to be worth much, but it deserves a mention if for no other reason than Adrien Brody and Hayden Christensen do what they can to make it watchable. Brody plays Frankie, a loser ex-con whose attempts to keep an eye on his younger brother Jimmy (Christensen) are, to put it mildly, unsuccessful. With Jordana Brewster, Tory Kittles; directed by Sarik Andreasyan.
2 Guns (R, 109 minutes) Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg are a winning pair of full-tilt criminals in this violent, overwritten and noisy actioner filled with explosions, gunfire, betrayals, wisecracks and more than its share of showoff performances. It doesn't amount to much, but there's seldom a dull moment. With Paula Patton, Fred Ward, Bill Paxton, James Marsden; directed by Baltasar Kormakur.
The best of Netflix this week: Philomena (2013), The Loft (2015), Iris (2014).
MovieStyle on 09/25/2015