Missouri News

Up To Date's Indie, Foreign & Doc Critics' 'Three To See,' August 10-12

KCUR | By Steve Walker,

Published August 10, 2018 at 10:39 AM CDT

Rapidly approaching high school, 13-year-old Kayla, played by Elsie Fisher, suffers the slings and arrows of contemporary suburban adolescence in "Eighth Grade."

With the Kansas City Royals languishing and the Chiefs off to a disappointing preseason start, sports fans looking for respite (and not willing make the drive to see Sporting KC contend for the Western Conference) might consider a trip to their favorite cinema. Up To Date's Film Critics have offered up a selection of movies for your weekend consideration. What they lack in home runs and touchdowns, they more than make up for in heart.

Cynthia Haines

"The Cakemaker," not rated

When the affair ends between a married Israeli man and his German paramour, a baker named Thomas, the jilted lover travels to Jerusalem and infiltrates the cafe of his beau's wife.

"Three Identical Strangers," PG-13

A documentary of powerful reporting, with shocking revelations about identical triplets, separated at birth, who reunited as adults only to discover the ominous inner-machinations of their adoption agency.

"Love, Cecil," not rated

An engaging portrait of Cecil Beaton, photographer and costume designer, who was renowned for his iconic portraits of celebrities and was awarded two Academy Awards for design and direction work on "Gigi" and "My Fair Lady." (Showing at Tivoli Cinemas at 11 a.m., August 11)

Steve Walker

"The Cakemaker," not rated

After the abrupt end of an affair between Oren, a bisexual Israeli businessman, husband, and father, and Thomas, a gay baker in Berlin, the latter moves to Jerusalem where he befriends Oren's wife and starts working in her cafe.

"Eighth Grade," R

This bruising but ultimately endearing look at an awkward teenage girl's last week of eighth grade, written and directed by Bo Burnham, is both an indictment of the cruel intentions of social media and a tribute to adolescent resilience.

"Three Identical Strangers," PG-13

This tragic and ironic documentary about triplets separated at birth celebrates their stranger-than-fiction reunion at age 19, then uncovers the nefarious agenda of the adoption agency that placed them.