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

OPENING THIS WEEK
Kam's Kapsules:
Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
by Kam Williams
For movies opening April 24, 2009


BIG BUDGET FILMS

Fighting (PG-13 for profanity, sexuality and intense action sequences) Gritty, New York City saga about a tough small-town kid (Channing Tatum) new tto town who is introduced to the world of bare-knuckle, street-fighting by a con artist (Terrence Howard) who offers to be his manager. With Zulay Henao, Luis Guzman and Brian J. White.

Obsessed (PG-13 for sexuality, violence, suggestive dialogue and mature themes) Psychological thriller about a happily-married asset manager (Idris Elba) whose tranquil life is turned upside-down when a mentally-unstable temp worker (Ali Larter) starts stalking him. With Beyonce’, Jerry O’Connell and Christine Lahti.

The Soloist (PG-13 for mature themes, drug use and profanity) Jamie Foxx stars in this moving bio-pic about an L.A. Times reporter (Robert Downey, Jr.) who is stunned to discover that the violin-playing homeless man he befriends in the park is a Juilliard-trained, former child prodigy. With Catherine Keener, Stephen Root and Lisa Gay Hamilton.


INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Earth (G) Disney nature flick, narrated by James Earl Jones and Patrick Stewart, chronicles the efforts of several families of wild animals, including polar bears, ducks and cranes, not only to elude predators but to adjust to atmospheric warming trends.

Empty Nest (Unrated) Argentinean slice of magical realism about a man (Oscar Martinez) in the midst of a midlife crisis who takes refuge from his crumbling marriage in a parallel fantasy universe of his own creation. With Cecilia Roth and Ines Efron. (In Spanish and Hebrew with subtitles)

Il Divo (Unrated) Mafia saga explores the checkered career of Giulio Andreotti (Toni Servillo), the seven-time Italian Prime Minister who went on trial in 1992 over his alleged connections to the mob. (In Italian and English with subtitles)

The Informers (R for nudity, graphic sexuality, pervasive profanity, drug use and disturbing images) Ensemble drama, set in L.A. in the Eighties, examines the exploits of a motley collection of characters over the course a very eventful week. A-list cast includes Academy Award-winners Billy Bob Thornton and Kim Basinger, Oscar-nominees Mickey Rourke and Winona Ryder, plus Amber Heard, Rhys Ifans and Chris Isaak.

Mutant Chronicles (R for graphic violence and pervasive profanity) Futuristic sci-fi adventure revolving around a couple of soldiers (Thomas Jane and Sean Pertwee) serving as corporate mercenaries who assemble a band of intrepid warriors to defend the planet when Earth is invaded by an evil race of necromutants. Cast includes John Malkovich, Devon Aoki, Ron Perlman and Pras.

Nursery University (Unrated) Head start documentary explores the cutthroat competition among anxious parents trying to place their Ivy League-bound toddlers in one of Manhattan’s most exclusive preschools, where tuition is as much as $40,000 a year.

Treeless Mountain (Unrated) Dysfunctional family drama, set in Seoul, about a six year-old girl (Hee-yeon Kim) taken out of school to care for her two year-old sister (Song-hee Kim) by their financially-struggling mother (Soo-ah Lee) who leaves them in the care of their selfish, alcoholic aunt (Mi-hyang Kim) so she can search for their deadbeat father. (In Korean with subtitles)

Tyson (R for profanity and sexual references) Oscar-nominee James Toback directs this revealing bio-pic chronicling the rise and fall of Iron Mike Tyson via a combination of the former heavyweight champ’s thought-provoking reflections, photographs and archival news and fight footage.