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A spoiler light review of Without the King should begin with tone, because Michael Skolnik understands exactly how this documentary ought to feel. Without the King gains early credibility from His Majesty King Mswati III, whose presence is balanced by the different rhythm of Her Royal Highness Princess Sikhanyiso. The foundation of Without the King can be stated simply: Swaziland, the last absolute monarchy globally, is a transitional nation, contrasting the opulent royal fam

A spoiler light review of Closing Escrow should begin with tone, because Armen Kaprelian understands exactly how this comedy ought to feel. Closing Escrow gains early credibility from Wendi McLendon Covey, whose presence is balanced by the different rhythm of Ryan Smith. The foundation of Closing Escrow can be stated simply: Three quirky families seeking to buy their next home collide when trying to purchase the same property. Within its 1h 33m running time, Closing Escrow re

A spoiler light review of Elite Squad should begin with tone, because José Padilha understands exactly how this action film ought to feel. Elite Squad gains early credibility from Wagner Moura, whose presence is balanced by the different rhythm of André Ramiro. The foundation of Elite Squad can be stated simply: In 1997 Rio de Janeiro, Captain Nascimento has to find a substitute for his position while trying to take down drug dealers and criminals before the Pope visits. With

A spoiler light review of Black White + Gray: A Portrait of Sam Wagstaff and Robert Mapplethorpe should begin with tone, because James Crump understands exactly how this documentary ought to feel. Black White + Gray: A Portrait of Sam Wagstaff and Robert Mapplethorpe gains early credibility from Pierre Apraxine, whose presence is balanced by the different rhythm of Dick Cavett. The foundation of Black White + Gray: A Portrait of Sam Wagstaff and Robert Mapplethorpe can be sta

A spoiler light review of Slipstream should begin with tone, because Anthony Hopkins understands exactly how this comedy ought to feel. Slipstream gains early credibility from Anthony Hopkins, whose presence is balanced by the different rhythm of Stella Hopkins. The foundation of Slipstream can be stated simply: Aging screenwriter Felix Bonhoeffer has lived his life in two states of existence: in reality and his own interior world. Within its 1h 36m running time, Slipstream r

A spoiler light review of YPF should begin with tone, because Martin Gero understands exactly how this comedy ought to feel. YPF gains early credibility from Aaron Abrams, whose presence is balanced by the different rhythm of Carly Pope. The foundation of YPF can be stated simply: On a Tuesday night, five couples have separate sexual adventures. Within its 1h 27m running time, YPF reveals both the benefits and the limits of that disciplined approach. ⁠ Martin Gero shapes YPF

A spoiler light review of Smiley Face should begin with tone, because Gregg Araki understands exactly how this comedy ought to feel. Smiley Face gains early credibility from Anna Faris, whose presence is balanced by the different rhythm of John Krasinski. The foundation of Smiley Face can be stated simply: After a young actress unknowingly eats her roommate's marijuana cupcakes, her day becomes a series of misadventures. Within its 1h 25m running time, Smiley Face reveals bot

A spoiler light review of If I Didn't Care should begin with tone, because Ben Cummings understands exactly how this mystery ought to feel. If I Didn't Care gains early credibility from Bill Sage, whose presence is balanced by the different rhythm of Susan Misner. The foundation of If I Didn't Care can be stated simply: Hitchcockian film noir/thriller set in the exclusive resort community of The Hamptons. Within its 1h 15m running time, If I Didn't Care reveals both the benef

A spoiler light review of Battle for Haditha should begin with tone, because Nick Broomfield understands exactly how this historical drama ought to feel. Battle for Haditha gains early credibility from Matthew Knoll, whose presence is balanced by the different rhythm of Elliot Ruiz. The foundation of Battle for Haditha can be stated simply: An investigation of the massacre of 24 men, women and children in Haditha, Iraq allegedly shot by 4 U.S. Marines in retaliation for the d

A spoiler light review of Rogue should begin with tone, because Greg McLean understands exactly how this horror film ought to feel. Rogue gains early credibility from Michael Vartan, whose presence is balanced by the different rhythm of Radha Mitchell. The foundation of Rogue can be stated simply: An American journalist on assignment in the Australian outback encounters a man eating crocodile while trapped on a rapidly flooding mud island. Within its 1h 39m running time, Rogu

A spoiler light review of Lost in Beijing should begin with tone, because Yu Li understands exactly how this drama ought to feel. Lost in Beijing gains early credibility from Bingbing Fan, whose presence is balanced by the different rhythm of Dawei Tong. The foundation of Lost in Beijing can be stated simply: A look at modern day life in China's capital centered on a ménage a quatre involving a young woman, her boss, her husband and her boss's wife. Within its 1h 52m running

A spoiler light review of Sputnik Fever should begin with tone, because David Hoffman understands exactly how this documentary ought to feel. Sputnik Fever gains early credibility from Liev Schreiber, whose presence is balanced by the different rhythm of Gene Banucci. The foundation of Sputnik Fever can be stated simply: Documentary looking back at the USSR's Sputnik satellite and its effects at the time and over the last 50 years. Within its 1h 27m running time, Sputnik Feve