Capsule reviews for July 26

Astronaut

In this offbeat Canadian drama, Richard Dreyfuss keeps the emotions grounded within a concept that rarely takes off. He plays Angus, a widower and former civil engineer relegated to an assisted living facility because of health issues. But when a billionaire (Colm Feore) unleashes a contest to send one lucky person on the first passenger voyage into space, Angus takes a chance at fulfilling a lifelong dream, against the wishes of doctors and his family. The uneven screenplay by rookie director Shelagh McLeod contains an impressive working knowledge of civil engineering, for what that’s worth. It also sidesteps enough clichés to compensate for the earnest melodrama. (Rated PG, 97 minutes).

David Crosby: Remember My Name

Crosby’s notoriety comes from his reckless behavior as much as his musical prowess, and both sides of the legendary performer get equal billing in this bittersweet documentary. Crosby essentially narrates his own life story as a pioneer of the folk-rock movement with the Byrds in the 1960s; his massive success with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young in subsequent decades; and his struggles with drug addiction that derailed his career and ruined his relationships with women and bandmates alike. As he regretfully reflects with filmmaker Cameron Crowe on his enduring legacy, his remarkable candor provides genuine insight and elevates the film above the usual retrospective. (Rated R, 95 minutes).

For Sama

Waad al-Kateab is the hero of this harrowing documentary on both sides of the camera. As a Syrian activist navigating the horrors of war around her, al-Kateab shares her experiences as a mother and a journalist in Aleppo, where she was one of the last survivors to flee in the face of corrupt government forces in 2016. It salutes her courage and resilience, although the film isn’t self-congratulatory, instead functioning as a letter to her titular daughter, born during the height of the conflict. al-Kateab and co-director Edward Watts offer a fresh and deeply personal perspective with a true-life angle that finds hope amid the heartbreak. (Not rated, 94 minutes).

Honeyland

Here’s the in-depth documentary about Macedonian beekeepers you never knew you needed. It illustrates the consequences from disrupting the delicate harmony between humans and nature through the eyes of Hatizde, an apiculturist in a remote mountain area whose farm is being threatened by nomadic competitors. That drives down the price of honey, which threatens her already tenuous livelihood just as her family endures additional hardships. The film’s verite approach captures the stark beauty of the rural landscapes while immersing moviegoers in the everyday struggles of characters who resonate universally. Yet its powerful ability to balance anguish with optimism is what has earned well-deserved buzz. (Not rated, 87 minutes).

Mike Wallace Is Here

Any documentary about the legendary “60 Minutes” newscaster is essentially a probe of the broadcast media landscape of the past half-century. That’s primarily what makes this look at Wallace’s legacy and longevity so compelling, as it skillfully weaves together archival footage on both sides of the camera, showing how the evolution of his career in many ways mirrored the trajectory of journalism as a whole, for better and worse. Along the way, the film spotlights to Wallace’s trademark ability to ask tough-but-fair questions during interviews with newsmakers. Such material is fascinating, even if it too often glosses over his volatile personal life behind the scenes. (Rated PG-13, 94 minutes).

The Mountain

While it might be the most narratively conventional film thus far from director Rick Alverson (The Comedy), this elliptical skewering of 1950s American prosperity isn’t always easy to grasp. It follows Andy (Tye Sheridan), a troubled young photographer who becomes the assistant to a traveling lobotomist (Jeff Goldblum) during a time in which such treatments were being outlawed in favor of psychiatric drugs. As Andy is a timid bystander during the doctor’s downfall, the deliberately paced film establishes an unsettling ambivalence toward them. However, despite the strong performances and stylish visuals, it also maintains a frustrating emotional distance while gradually becoming more tedious than provocative. (Not rated, 106 minutes).

See You Soon

Only the most hopeless of romantics will come close to buying the lovelorn theatrics in this eye-rolling melodrama. It centers on a Russian mother (Jenia Tanaeva) whose attempt to escape an abusive relationship finds her working on a cruise ship, where a disgraced American soccer star (Liam McIntyre) — who happens to be her son’s favorite player — is vacationing while injured. The ensuing bond between lost souls seeking a fresh start might have been more convincing if it weren’t for the egregiously wooden acting, the lumbering dialogue, the ridiculous plot twists, or the inept direction. Moviegoers who aren’t snickering can at least enjoy some exotic scenery. (Rated R, 107 minutes).

Skin

Jamie Bell’s committed performance outshines a wobbly screenplay in this follow-up to an Oscar-winning short film by Israeli director Guy Nattiv. In this true-life redemption story, Bell plays Byron, a brainwashed, drug-addicted neo-Nazi skinhead since childhood with the tattoos to prove it. But as an adult, his emotions steer him away from hate, especially when he becomes involved with a single mother (Danielle Macdonald) with a similar past. While the film sometimes lacks depth and context considering its potentially incendiary subject matter, Bell captures Byron’s internal struggles to match his external scars, even when the cat-and-mouse final act fails to achieve the desired emotional impact. (Rated R, 119 minutes).