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 August 28, 2009

BIG BUDGET FILMS

Final Destination: Death Trip 3D (R for sexuality, profanity and gruesome violence) High attrition-rate horror flick about a teenager (Bobby Campo) whose premonition saves his friends from certain death in the collapse of the stands at an auto racetrack only to have them start dying anyway in a series of freak accidents. Cast includes Mikelti Williamson, Krista Allen, Haley Webb and Nick Zano.

Halloween II (Unrated) Tyler Mane returns as slasher Michael Myers for a splatter-filled sequel which has the depraved serial killer returning home to Haddonfield, Illinois where a visit to his recuperating sister (Laurie Scout-Compton) only leads to another bloody rampage. Supporting cast includes Malcolm McDowell, Brad Dourif, Margot Kidder, Hoawrd Hesseman and Weird Al Yankovic.

Taking Woodstock (R for profanity, sexuality, drug use and graphic nudity) Oscar-winner Ang Lee directs this lighthearted look at the 1969 Woodstock Music & Art Fair based on local yokel Elliot Tiber’s whimsical memoir recounting his pivotal role in mounting the historic, three-day rock festival. Cast includes Demetri Martin, Emile Hirsch, Henry Goodman, Paul Dano and Imelda Staunton.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

At the Edge of the World (PG for disturbing images and brief profanity) Inspirational documentary chronicles the valiant efforts of an ill-equipped, international crew of intrepid animal rights activists who risked their lives to prevent a fleet of hi-tech Japanese whale ships from hunting illegally in a designated sanctuary in the Antarctic.

Big Fan (R for profanity and sexuality) Gritty character study about a diehard New York Giants fan (Patton Oswalt) from Staten Island who finds himself forced to rethink his allegiance to his favorite football team after being assaulted by its star linebacker (Jonathan Hamm) at a Manhattan strip club. With Michael Rapaport, Kevin Corrigan and Marcia Jean Kurtz.

Gospel Hill (Unrated) Giancarlo Esposito directs and co-stars in this cross-cultural drama about a showdown in a sleepy Southern town still coming to grips with the its ugly legacy of racism forty years after the unsolved murder of a civil rights activist (Samuel L. Jackson) when his son (Danny Glover) squares-off with the former sheriff (Tom Bower). Cast includes Angela Bassett, Julia Stiles, Nia Long and gangsta’ rapper RZA.

The Open Road (PG-13 for profanity) Dysfunctional family dramedy about the son (Justin Timberlake) of a legendary baseball great (Jeff Bridges) who travels with his girlfriend (Kate Mara) from Houston to Ohio to track down his estranged father for a reunion with his seriously-ill mother (Mary Steenburgen). With Lyle Lovett and Harry Dean Stanton.

The September Issue (PG-13 for brief profanity) Director R.J. Cutler was afforded unusual access to Vogue Magazine’s legendary editor-in-chief Anna Wintour for this revealing documentary chronicling her feverish preparations of the 2007 Fall Fashion issue which weighed over 4 lbs.

Still Walking (Unrated) Bittersweet drama about an annual family reunion convened by a retired doctor (Yoshio Harada) and his still-grieving wife (Kirin Kiki) at their seaside estate in honor of their youngest child who drowned a dozen years ago while trying to save the life of a poor swimmer. (In Japanese with subtitles)

We Live in Public (Unrated) Dot.com documentary revisiting the rise and fall of internet pioneer Josh Harris who lived under 24-hour surveillance for six months until his collapse into mental illness.