‘Emperor’ loses war, ‘Table’ sets fire under seats in theaters

Among the new movies that were released Friday, March 8 in theaters throughout the Valley are a post-WWII drama starring Matthew Fox and Tommy Lee Jones and a documentary about hunger in America.

‘Emperor’

Matthew Fox plays a general who, as the Japanese surrender at the end of WWII, is tasked with deciding if Emperor Hirohito will be hanged as a war criminal. Tommy Lee Jones also stars. (PG-13 - 98 minutes)

At one point during the new post-WWII drama “Emperor,” Tommy Lee Jones retorts, “I don’t need a history lesson.” My thoughts exactly - especially one as devastatingly dull as director Peter Weber’s new motion picture. There are mere glimpses of a remotely fascinating film found here and there - namely the scenes shared by Matthew Fox and Eriko Hatsune, who plays his character’s love interest - but said scenes are fighting a losing battle with a story so scant on style and padded with pokerfaced performances that you will be willing to fall on your own sword to escape it. (Grade: F)

‘A Place at the Table’

Filmmakers Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush investigate incidents of hunger experienced by millions of Americans as well as proposed solutions to the problem. Playing exclusively at Harkins Camelview 5. (PG - 84 minutes)

“A Place at the Table” is certain to turn the stomachs of its viewers, who are bound to become enraged over the injustice faced by millions of Americans who either do not have enough to eat or are unable to afford the type of food that leads to a long and healthy life. Filmmakers Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush’s new documentary succeeds in setting a fire under the seats of its viewers by both tugging at their heartstrings with tales of tragedy and engaging their brains with food for thought. The film’s fascination factor falls in the second half but its subject is still too significant to slight. (Grade: C)