It's a First Fridays weekend in Kansas City, which means there is no shortage of art-centric activities to fill up the next few days. But if the thought of people packed into a very hot and humid Crossroads Arts District makes you wince, we have another idea for how to get your fill of artsy content. The Up to Date'sindie, foreign and documentary Film Critics have selected the best in cinematic offerings playing on the city's art-house movie screens. In fact, there is so much good stuff playing this weekend they had to include a bonus pick!
Cynthia Haines
"Mountain," PG
- Soaring imagery is matched by a moving score from the Australian Chamber Orechestra in this documentary that examines the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature, specifically through humanity's relentless pursuit to summit the world's tallest peaks.
"A Kid Like Jake," R
- Claire Danes and Jim Parsons play two parents navigating the competitive world of private primary school enrollment in New York City. Their son, Jake, has an affinity for dolls and dress-up, which causes the parents and adults in his life to struggle with how to best handle his application.
"RBG," PG
- The 85-year-old Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is the subject of this documentary recalling her career from one of the only women in her Harvard Law School class to the most iconic liberal voice on the Supreme Court.
Steve Walker
"A Kid Like Jake," R
- Claire Danes gives a fierce performance as the mother of a 4-year-old boy whose love of dresses and Disney princesses complicates the child's application to kindergarten.
"Eating Animals," not rated
- Not necessarily a pro-vegetarianism documentary but rather a candid look at the need to call corporate factory farms on their abuses and to support the farmers who raise animals free of cruelty and inhumane practices.
"Damsel," R
- A miniature horse named Butterscotch is at the center of this odd yet old-fashioned western overlaid with contemporary issues such as stalking (albeit on horseback) and spurned romantic inclinations.
Bonus Pick
"Boundaries," R
- Vera Farmiga gets the meaty part she deserves playing a single mom on a road trip with her eccentric son and her irreverent father, played by Christopher Plummer, who's been booted out of his retirement community due to a fondness for marijuana.
