Week of August 26 to Sept. 1 (Rhoades)

Tropic Overview

“Indignation” Joins Tropic Lineup

Reviewed by Shirrel Rhoades

Film Critic, Key West Citizen

Five films are being held over this week, giving you another opportunity to see them. And in case you already have seen them all, a new film has been added to the schedule.

The new addition? “Indignation,” a drama based on a Philip Roth novel about a young Jewish man’s socialization at college. Marcus Messner (Logan Lerman) becomes infatuated with a beautiful classmate (Sarah Gadon) while clashing with the college’s dean (Tracy Letts). Spirituality and Practice describes it as “a triumph of elegant writing, exquisite acting, and a vibrant spiritual treatment of righteous indignation.” And Tulsa World finds it to be “a literate film for adults to appreciate.”

Also pleasing audiences is “Florence Foster Jenkins,” a biopic about a New York society matron whose singing was undeniably bad. Meryl Streep frumps herself up to portray un-self-aware Jenkins; Hugh Grant is her overly supportive partner; and Simon Helberg accompanies her for a late-in-life performance at Carnegie Hall. New York Observer calls it “a comic lark that packs a satisfying emotional wallop and continues the balls-to-the-wall career victory lap Meryl Streep has been on since turning 60 years old seven years ago ...” And CineXpress calls it “a wonderful and strange period comedy, where Meryl Streep once again raises all material at hand and steals your heart.”

In “Captain Fantastic” a hippie family faces the straight world. Viggo Mortensen takes the title role as the pater familias who prefers an off-the-grid lifestyle. Philadelphia Inquirer tells us “It’s a rare movie that asks such big questions -- about parenting, about family, about modern-day America -- and comes up with answers that are moving and meaningful, that make you laugh and cry.” And Empire Magazine finds it to be “a fiercely original, pleasantly unpredictable character piece.”

“Don’t Think Twice” is stand-up comic Mike Birbiglia’s dramedy about the world of professional comedy. Chicago Reader says, “It has more laughs than any big-studio comedy I’ve seen this year, but it’s dead serious about the difficulty of creating something collectively in a world where everyone's chasing the spotlight.” And Detroit News advises, “Don’t think twice, just see it.”

In “Finding Dory,” a blue tang fish (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres) searches for her family. This is, of course, a sequel to that kid’s favorite, “Finding Nemo.” New Yorker says, “While predictable, it puts an engaging spin on the issues of home and identity.” And PopMatters decrees it to be “one of Pixar’s most delightful offerings to date.”

“Star Trek Beyond” follows Captain James Tiberius Kirk and his Vulcan pal Mr. Spock (Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto) on a retro outer-space adventure. Cinemanía observes: “The Enterprise’s humblest journey it’s also the most fun and enjoyable.” And Salon.com says it’s “a reminder of how good the series can be when all its engines are in working order.”

Six films in all, plenty to see.

srhoades@aol.com