Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Kam's Kapsules: Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun

OPENING THIS WEEK
by Kam Williams
For movies opening August 3, 2007

BIG BUDGET FILMS

The Bourne Ultimatum (Rated PG-13 for violence and intense action) Matt Damon reprises the titular role as amnesiac assassin Jason Bourne for the third installment of the franchise inspired by the best-selling series of international political potboilers by Robert Ludlum. This go-round, our peripatetic hero perambulates the planet again, finding himself on the run from inscrutable enemies while still on a relentless quest to determine his own identity. Talented cast includes Oscar-winner Chris Cooper, nominees Joan Allen, David Straithairn and Albert Finney, plus Julia Stiles and Paddy Considine.

Bratz (PG for mature themes) Based on a popular product line of fashion-oriented dolls, this female empowerment flick revolves around the camaraderie among a quartet of inseparable cute freshmen (Nathalia Ramos, Janel Parrish, Logan Browning and Skyler Shaye) who vow to remain best friends for life in the face of the pressures exerted by exclusive cliques at their new high school.

Hot Rod (PG-13 for crude humor, profanity, violence, and drug use) Andy Samberg stars as the title character of this action comedy about a self-proclaimed stuntman who plans a death-defying motorcycle jump over 15 buses to raise $50,000 to pay for his ailing stepfather’s (Ian McShane) heart operation. With Sissy Spacek, Will Arnett and Isla Fisher.

Underdog (PG for action, crude humor and mild epithets) Disney, live-action adaptation of the popular kiddie cartoon TV series about a watchdog (voiced by Jason Lee) that morphs into a superhero after a lab accident. With Jim Belushi, Peter Dinklage and Alex Neuberger.


INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Becoming Jane (PG for brief nudity and mild epithets) Anne Hathaway handles the title role of Jane Austen (1775-1817) in this fanciful bio-pic focusing on the British author’s amorous relationship with an Irish rogue (James McAvoy), much to the chagrin of her parents (Julie Walters and James Cromwell) who had hoped their daughter would take an interest in a rich aristocratic suitor (Laurence Fox) more to their liking.

El Cantante (R for sexuality, drug use and pervasive profanity) Marc Antony and Jennifer Lopez star in this bittersweet bio-pic about the life and times of Hector Lavoe, salsa singer from Ponce, Puerto Rico who skyrocketed to fame as front man for trombonist Willie Colon only to turn to a suicidal path marked by drug addiction, depression and AIDS due to his being unprepared to handle his overnight success. (In Spanish and English with subtitles)
If I Didn’t Care (Unrated) Neo-noir, situated in The Hamptons, chronicles the curious case of a trophy husband (Bill Sage) who murdered his rich witch wife (Noelle Beck) with the help of his mistress (Susan Misner). Features Roy Scheider as the investigating detective having a hard time linking the two to the crime.

Summer ’04 (Unrated) Dysfunctional Deutsche family drama, unfolding during summer vacation along the Baltic coast, about a frustrated, middle-aged housewife (Martina Gedeck) who has no problem with a precocious 12 year-old (Svea Lohde) dating her 15 year-old son (Lucas Kotaranin), but gets jealous when the nymphet starts to put the moves on a dashing, thirtysomething American expatriate (Robert Seeliger) who she happens to have the hots for, too. (In German with subtitles)

The Ten (R for nudity, profanity, drug use, and pervasive crude sexual content) Blasphemous biblical comedy takes an irreverent look at each of the Ten Commandments in a series of loosely-linked, modern morality plays. Cast includes Jessica Alba, Adam Brody, Bobby Cannavale, Paul Rudd, Famke Janssen, Gretchen Mol, Winona Rider, Oliver Platt, Ron Silver, Kerri Kinney and Live Schreiber.

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