Capsule reviews for Dec. 16

The Apology

Narrative contrivances dwindle the suspense in this two-handed thriller exploring familiar themes of guilt, grief, regret, and fractured families. It’s set on Christmas Eve, when recovering alcoholic Darlene (Anna Gunn) is preparing to host a holiday dinner when her estranged former brother-in-law (Linus Roache) shows up unannounced. What starts as a nostalgic reunion takes a dark turn when he reveals secrets about Darlene’s missing daughter from decades earlier, prompting a desire for vengeance. While unpacking their dirty laundry, the tightly wound screenplay by rookie director Alison Locke doesn’t provide much incentive for emotional investment, although the performances bring depth to an otherwise far-fetched confrontation. (Not rated, 91 minutes).

High Heat

While the cartoonish action boils over, the suspense merely simmers in this far-fetched thriller that combines espionage and fine dining. It’s set during the opening night of a new upscale restaurant owned by a chef (Olga Kurylenko) who also happened to be a former Russian secret agent. When a ruthless crime syndicate targets her husband (Don Johnson) over some unpaid debts, it triggers a showdown for personal and professional survival. It’s not meant to be grounded in reality, of course, but while the over-the-top altercations and witty banter provide some mild amusement, the film relies too heavily on genre cliches rather than freshening up the recipe. (Rated R, 84 minutes).

If These Walls Could Sing

Those walls belong to the main recording space at Abbey Road Studios in London, which is the subject of this unfocused yet endearing documentary that lacks depth but efficiently salutes the legendary songs that have been recorded there for decades. Rookie director Mary McCartney has no difficulty rounding up icons to share some anecdotes, including her father, Paul, whose Beatles put Abbey Road on the map during the 1960s. Elton John, Roger Waters of Pink Floyd, and Star Wars composer John Williams provide some affectionate insight, too. The result is a collection of vintage footage and tunes with a common thread for any music buff. (Rated PG-13, 88 minutes).

Mindcage

Despite some top-notch scenery chewing by John Malkovich as a deranged serial killer, this procedural thriller is content to rehash a familiar murder-mystery formula. Malkovich plays an eccentric psychopath known as The Artist, renowned for combining high art and religious symbolism in his brutal slayings. He’s awaiting execution in prison when an apparent copycat begins a new killing spree, leading a troubled detective (Martin Lawrence) and his upstart partner (Melissa Roxburgh) to probe his mind for clues. After a predictable parade of red herrings and investigative dead ends, a series of preposterous final-act twists drains any remaining tension and credibility, not to mention emotional investment. (Rated R, 96 minutes).

Nelly and Nadine

As with so many secrets from World War II, a hidden diary is the launchpad for this compelling documentary about a romance that endured for decades. Nelly, a Belgian opera singer, and Nadine, the daughter of a Chinese diplomat, fell in love at a German concentration camp in 1944. After being separated by the Nazis, they both survived, reunited, and lived together for years without their closest relatives knowing the truth about their relationship. Swedish director Magnus Gertten, who had explored Nadine’s legacy in a past project, incorporates Nelly’s writings and some unearthed archival footage to unspool a powerful story of forbidden love and family memories. (Not rated, 93 minutes).

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

With delightful irreverence, this lively and amusing sequel to the 2011 animated comedy turns our feline hero into an aging cowboy confronting his mortality. Expanding upon its fairy-tale roots, this adventure finds Puss (voiced by Antonio Banderas) losing his charismatic swagger when he finds that his life of daredevil swashbuckling has cost him eight of his nine lives. While on the search for a magical star to grant more lives, he reunites with ex-flame Kitty (Salma Hayek) and encounters other fairy-tale legends with ulterior motives. Although it goes overboard with the frenetic mayhem, the film strikes a balance between kid-friendly silliness and broadening its dramatic horizons. (Rated PG, 102 minutes).