Capsule reviews for July 27

The Captain

Although its larger point about fascist idealogues is somewhat muddled, this black-and-white historical drama from director Robert Schwentke (Flightplan) is both audacious and intriguing. It takes place near the end of World War II, when a German army deserter (Max Hubacher) stumbles upon a discarded Nazi officer’s uniform and vehicle. He becomes empowered by the discovery and begins commanding the residents of a nearby farming village with increasingly unsettling results. This stylish glimpse into unchecked power remains emotionally detached because of its limited character depth and moral complexity. However, it’s also fascinating to decipher the motives of this unscrupulous charlatan as he perpetuates his risky ruse. (Not rated, 118 minutes).

Hot Summer Nights

This coming-of-age drama set during the 1991 New England summer is more familiar than fresh, although there’s an earnest authenticity to the characters and the setting. It follows a precocious but socially awkward teenager (Timothee Chalamet) who comes out of his shell while staying with relatives on Cape Cod. He spearheads a drug-dealing operation with the rebellious new kid (Alex Roe), although his relationship with a girl (Maika Monroe) threatens to come between them. The script by rookie director Elijah Bynum is heartfelt if uneven, and the film affectionately captures period details with a nostalgic pop soundtrack. Yet the formulaic plotting diminishes the emotional payoff. (Rated R, 119 minutes).

Our House

A potentially compelling exploration of teenage grief and scientific discovery is derailed by some predictable supernatural nonsense in this wobbly thriller from rookie director Anthony Scott Burns. After their parents are killed in a car crash, three siblings remain in their suburban home, with the oldest brother (Thomas Mann) taking a job and assuming the father-figure role. His side project with a female classmate (Nicola Peltz) is an electrical device in the basement that winds up conjuring some sinister spirits. Despite some solid performances, the film’s creepy setup never really pays off in the end, and any emotional buy-in requires an outrageous suspension of disbelief. (Rated PG-13, 90 minutes).

Puzzle

Credit this earnest small-scale drama for offering a sincere exploration of a midlife crisis from a female perspective, even if the result lacks the progressive resonance it seeks. It also provides a well-deserved starring role for Kelly Macdonald (Trainspotting), who plays a suburban mother stuck in a domestic rut, neglecting her own interest for the benefit of her husband (David Denman) and two sons. When she pursues her hobby and enters a jigsaw-puzzle contest, she meets a fellow enthusiast (Irrfan Khan) who changes her outlook. Their relationship ventures into morally complicated territory that isn’t scrutinized sufficiently, which keeps its characters at a puzzling emotional distance. (Rated R, 103 minutes).

Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood

Gossip hounds will best appreciate this affectionate documentary about Scotty Bowers, a nonagenarian from a modest upbringing with a fuzzy memory and a wild imagination who details about his unofficial career as a legendary pimp of sorts to Hollywood’s top stars from the 1940s and 1950s. Although he generally doesn’t bother to distinguish between fact and fiction — Bowers is quite a storyteller, after all — director Matt Tyrnauer (Citizen Jane) doesn’t allow the proceedings to devolve into an expose about closeted celebrities from a bygone era. Rather, he keeps the focus on his subject, whose life story is perhaps more compelling than those of his high-profile clients. (Not rated, 98 minutes).