© 2024 Kansas City Public Radio
NPR in Kansas City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Up To Date

Up To Date's Indie, Foreign & Doc Critics' 'Three To See,' July 20-22

The King
/
Oscilloscope
The documentary "The King" uses the life Elvis Presley as a metaphor for the pitfalls of the American Dream.

According to the "Farmer's Almanac," we're in the throes of the so-called "dog days of summer." Basically, summer is here and it's hot. But how to stay cool? If you're tired of finding relief at an overcrowded pool, we suggest the coolness of your local movie theater. Luckily, the Up To Date Film Critics are here to help you out with their suggesions for the latest and greatest in indie, foreign and documentary films showing this weekend. 

Steve Walker

"The King," R

  • Elvis Presley's '63 Rolls Royce is literally the vehicle by which documentarian Eugene Jarecki drives coast-to-coast to review the rise and fall of his career, the similar trajectory of the American Dream, and his critics' charges of cultural appropriation. 

"Leave No Trace," PG

  • "Winter's Bone" director Debra Granik steers this taut drama about an Iraqi war vet, played by Ben Foster, and his teenage daughter living off the land in an Oregon park until the authorities try to quash their lifestyle choices.

"Three Identical Strangers," PG-13

  • This tragic and ironic documentary about triplets separated at birth celebrates their stranger-than-fiction reunion at age 19, then uncovers the nefarious agenda of the adoption agency that placed them.

Cynthia Haines

"Won't You Be My Neighbor," PG-13

  • Fred Rogers of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" is the subject of this documentary from Morgan Neville, which explores the novel social justice undertones of the show that ran for 31 seasons.

"Three Identical Strangers," PG-13

  • A documentary of powerful reporting, with shocking revelations about identical triplets, separated at birth, who reunited as adults only to discover the ominous inner-machinations of their adoption agency.

"The King," R

  • In this unique documentary director Eugene Jarecki connects the life story of Elvis Presley with the decline of the American Dream and the rise of 21st century politics. 
Since 1998, Steve Walker has contributed stories and interviews about theater, visual arts, and music as an arts reporter at KCUR. He's also one of Up to Date's regular trio of critics who discuss the latest in art, independent and documentary films playing on area screens.