Capsule reviews for July 10

Do I Sound Gay?

The answer is never exactly clear for New York director David Thorpe in this documentary about his odyssey to discover the origins of the stereotypical vocal peculiarities of gay men. In his own case, relatives admit his voice changed after he came out, making him more self-conscious and perhaps less successful in relationships. The topic is slight and the demographic appeal for such a topic is relatively small, although the film mixes some humor (through interviews with gay celebrities such as David Sedaris, George Takei and Tim Gunn) with a broader examination of how our voices change subconsciously and shape perception, confidence and social acceptance. (Not rated, 77 minutes).

The Gallows

The found-footage conceit has become a pretty shopworn gimmick for cheap thrills, and this low-budget exercise in thespian bully revenge doesn’t help. It takes place at a Nebraska high school, where four students become trapped during a night of mischief prior to the opening of the titular play. Then strange goings-on lead them to believe the theater might be haunted by a past tragedy, although they always manage to keep their camera in the right place. The handful of intense second-half jolts don’t lead to consistent suspense because the contrived script is so riddled with logical gaps, and because the airheaded characters lack basic common sense. (Rated R, 81 minutes).

Nowitzki: The Perfect Shot

You don’t have to be a Dallas Mavericks fan to appreciate this documentary that traces the career of basketball superstar Dirk Nowitzki from his roots in Germany to his championship season in Dallas. Since it’s a German production, it yields an outsider perspective to his adjustment to Texas life after becoming a prodigy in his homeland under the tutelage of eccentric coach Holger Geschwindner, who developed his work ethic and remains his mentor to this day. It also features interviews with his parents and childhood friends to provide details on Dirk’s first 19 years. Still, it’s more of a workmanlike layup than a flashy slam dunk. (Not rated, 106 minutes).

The Suicide Theory

Some provocative ideas swirl around this low-budget Australian thriller but never jell into a suspenseful finished product. It’s centered on a depressed artist (Leon Cain) whose failed suicide attempts prompt him to hire a ruthless assassin (Steve Mouzakis) to finish the job. But secrets are revealed as the men get to know one another, causing the plan to go awry. The screenplay is more talk than action, as the intriguing moral complications become lost amid some heavy-handed melodrama about tolerance, guilt and redemption. The performances are solid, but the uneven result finds gritty pretenses colliding with high-minded ideas to the benefit of neither. (Rated R, 95 minutes).

Tangerine

Not just because it was shot entirely with an iPhone app, there’s never been a holiday movie anything like this invigorating saga of a feisty transgender Los Angeles hooker named Sin-Dee (Kitana Rodriguez) who gets out of jail on Christmas Eve, reuniting with her lounge-singer best friend (Mya Taylor) in an effort to find the pimp (James Ransone) who cheated on her. The micro-budget visuals are gritty and evocative, and although the acting sometimes is amateurish, the latest effort from director Sean Baker (Starlet) has a ferocious energy. It’s ultimately another heartfelt glimpse into the hardships of folks stuck in the socioeconomic margins of Hollywood. (Rated R, 88 minutes).