Capsule reviews for Jan. 15

Band of Robbers

Mark Twain’s iconic characters are reimagined in this low-budget caper comedy that follows a grown-up Tom Sawyer (Adam Nee), a street cop whose childhood friend, Huck Finn (Kyle Gallner) has just been released from prison. Tom concocts a scheme to rob a pawn shop to make up for the treasure that eluded them as kids. But things get off track quickly, causing them to cross paths with Becky Thatcher (Melissa Benoist), Tom’s overzealous rookie partner, and ruthless criminal Injun Joe (Stephen Lang). The quirky premise generates some amusing moments, yet the uneven script by Nee and his co-director brother, Aaron, can’t sustain its early momentum. (Not rated, 95 minutes).

The Benefactor

The gifts are fleeting in this contrived melodrama of redemption about a philanthropist (Richard Gere) whose guilt over his best friend’s death in a car crash sends him into a downward spiral. He emerges to reconnect with the dead man’s daughter (Dakota Fanning) as she’s married and pregnant. But her young husband (Theo James) becomes suspicious that his overbearing generosity has ulterior motives. The film hints at an intriguing character study about how unabated philanthropy from a desperate man doesn’t automatically yield power and influence, yet despite some solid performances, the script by rookie director Andrew Renzi derails its momentum with generic and predictable third-act twists. (Not rated, 93 minutes).

The Lady in the Van

Maggie Smith shines in the title role of this otherwise modest British comedy from director Nicholas Hytner (The History Boys) that’s based on a true-life friendship between playwright Alan Bennett (Alex Jennings) and an eccentric transient who’s taken up residence in his driveway. As the two develop an uneasy trust, Bennett becomes both fascinated and charitably obligated by the interloper. The charming portrayal from Smith, who played the same role on stage, fares better in the film adaptation than some of the narrative gimmicks in Bennett’s script. Still, it examines the convergence of truth and fiction with a healthy mix of humor and poignancy. (Rated PG-13, 104 minutes).

Moonwalkers

An amusing concept becomes overloaded with quirks and psychedelic nonsense in this low-budget comedy that takes place in 1969, when a CIA agent (Ron Perlman) still suffering Vietnam flashbacks winds up in a far-fetched scheme with a fledgling British rock-band manager (Rupert Grint) to stage a fake moon landing for the American government. The plan goes horribly awry, of course, and although there are some scattered big laughs along the way, the film is wildly uneven as it throws in some broad comedy, some brutal violence, and just about everything in between. The result never finds a consistent tone despite a scrappy chemistry between its leads. (Rated R, 107 minutes).

Ride Along 2

This completely uninspired sequel to the 2014 buddy comedy again strands its stars with a script that’s devoid of original or amusing ideas. In other words, it’s a transparent attempt to cash in for all involved. This horrendous installment again follows James (Ice Cube), an Atlanta detective who’s dreading the upcoming wedding of his sister to Ben (Kevin Hart), an obnoxious cop wannabe. Before long, circumstances pair the bickering and bumbling duo in pursuit of a Miami drug smuggler (Benjamin Bratt). The film goes through the motions from there, with some tired sight gags, cliched action sequences and gratuitous cleavage – just like the first one. (Rated PG-13, 101 minutes).