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A surprisingly good week at the movies, led by a bunch of young mutants.
"X-Men: First Class" is as good as the franchise's previous best, "X2: X-Men United," as it brings us the origin story of Marvel Comics' band of mutant superheroes. Young telepath and genius Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and metal-moving Erik Lensherr, a k a Magneto (Michael Fassbender, pictured), are on the same side, battling a nasty mutant (Kevin Bacon) who wants to start nuclear war during the Cuban missile crisis. Director Matthew Vaughn ("Kick-Ass") does the effects right, and sifts through the several mutant stories without losing the drama and humanity of these characters. Jennifer Lawrence is especially good as the shape-shifting Raven, alias Mystique.
The art-house slate is strong, this week, too.
"Incendies" is Canadian director Denis Villeneuve's compelling drama about Montreal twins (Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin and Maxim Gaudette) who discover shocking truths about the early life of their recently deceased mother (Lubna Azabal). Her history in a Middle Eastern country includes ostracism, rebellion, terrorism and a brutal prison sentence. Azabel's fiery performance carries this harrowing story of anger and forgiveness.
"Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives" won the Palme D'Or at Cannes last year, and it's a moody and meditative story from Thailand about a dying man (Thanapat Saisaymar) who looks back on his life - and his previous ones. Writer-director Apichatpong Weerasethakul's vision is slow, strange and affecting, where monkey spirits and magical fish live in an odd sort of harmony.
"Beautiful Darling" is a lovingly told documentary about Candy Darling, the transsexual glamour girl of Andy Warhol's underground movies. Filmmaker James Risen interviews people who knew and loved Candy, primarily her friend Jeremiah Newton, who works to keep her legacy alive.
Lastly, several Utah theaters are debuting "17 Miracles," a beautifully photographed drama about a treacherous crossing of Mormon pioneers from Nebraska to Utah in 1856. Writer-director T.C. Christensen has a good eye for powerful visuals, though the story is a bit plodding.