Capsule reviews for May 23

Cold in July

Sharp performances elevate this nifty noir from director Jim Mickle (We Are Who We Are), which begins in 1989, when a small-town Texas man (Michael C. Hall) shoots and kills a home intruder out of self-defense. His quick thinking earns the praise of his neighbors, but his guilt turns to paranoia when the intruder’s father (Sam Shepard) shows up seeking revenge. The character-driven script is unsettling in spots and hilarious in others, and although some of the twists are more satisfying than others, the level of tension remains high throughout. Don Johnson is terrific as a private investigator who becomes involved in the complex case. (Rated R, 109 minutes).

The Hornet’s Nest

More impressive for its effort than its execution, this documentary pulls together footage from the Emmy-winning father-and-son team of Mike and Carlos Boettcher, who were embedded as journalists with American troops during one of the most dangerous missions in the war in Afghanistan. The result is meant to illustrate both the efforts of the two men to bond during the most extreme circumstances, as well as to showcase the camaraderie and heroism of the soldiers who put their lives on the line. The result isn’t as cumulatively powerful as intended, but it remains politically even-handed and offers some immersive insight along the front lines. (Rated R, 93 minutes).

The Love Punch

The lead actors outshine a predictable script in this globetrotting romantic caper about Richard (Pierce Brosnan) and Kate (Emma Thompson), who are divorced but still harbor feelings for one another. Amid the bickering, sparks predictably fly when they hatch a scheme to impersonate a Texas couple and steal a rare jewel during the French Riviera wedding of the daughter of a corrupt investor (Laurent Lafitte) who froze the pension fund at Richard’s company before leaving the country. The breezy chemistry between Brosnan and Thompson can’t rescue a sketchy concept from director Joel Hopkins (Last Chance Harvey) filled with stale jokes that feel more forced than authentic. (Not rated, 94 minutes).

Words and Pictures

Is a picture worth a thousand words? That’s the basis for this formulaic drama from veteran director Fred Schepisi (Six Degrees of Separation) that takes place at an elite prep school, about a fledgling English teacher (Clive Owen) who meets his intellectual match in a straitlaced art teacher (Juliette Binoche) who engages her students in the power of visuals over the written word. Each of them has their individual afflictions, as well, which is symptomatic of the contrived and overstuffed screenplay, which confuses sentimentality for emotional complexity. The performances from both leads convey a playful charm, yet as a whole the film’s words and pictures lack depth. (Rated PG-13, 111 minutes).