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 November 6, 2009

                    

BIG BUDGET FILMS

 

The Box (PG-13 for mature themes, violence and disturbing images) Cameron Diaz and James Marsden co-star in this remake of “Button, Button” the Twilight Zone episode about a cash-strapped couple agonizing over whether to keep an anonymous gift of a million dollars which, if accepted, will simultaneously cause the death of a perfect stranger. Cast includes Frank Langella, James Rebhorn and Gillian Jacobs.

 

A Christmas Carol (PG for scary images) Animated, Disney version of the Charles Dickens classic about a miserly, cold-hearted curmudgeon (Jim Carrey) who has to experience an epiphany in order to be able to appreciate the holiday season. With voice work by Bob Hoskins, Colin Firth, Robin Wright Penn, Gary Oldman and Fionnula Flanagan.

 

The Fourth Kind (PG-13 for terror, disturbing images, mature themes, violence and brief sexuality) Sci-fi thriller revolving around a curious psychologist (Milla Jovovich) investigating the 40-year pattern of mysterious disappearances from a tiny Alaskan town suggesting abduction by UFOs. With Will Patton, Elias Koteas and Corey Johnson.

 

The Men Who Stare at Goats (R for profanity, drug use and brief nudity) Screen adaptation of the Jon Ronson best seller about a reporter (Ewan McGregor) covering the War in Iraq who stumbles upon the story of a lifetime when he meets a special forces agent (George Clooney) who claims to be a member of a top secret psychic unit. Supporting cast includes Kevin Spacey, Jeff Bridges and Stephen Root.

 

Precious (R for rape, child abuse, pervasive profanity and ethnic slurs) Lee Daniels directs this super-realistic screen adaptation of the Sapphire best seller, set in Harlem in 1987, about a teenage mom’s (Gabby Sidibe) attempt to finish school and to find love in the face of a monstrous mother (Mo’Nique) who insists she’ll never amount to anything. With Mariah Carey, Paula Patton, Lenny Kravitz and Sherri Shepherd.    

 

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

 

Act of God (Unrated) Introspective documentary examines the emotional effect of lightning on seven folks who miraculously survived being struck by bolts from the sky.   

 

Collapse (Unrated) Crystal ball bio-pic about cop-turned-visionary Michael Ruppert, the radical thinker who accurately forecast the current financial crisis in his self-published newsletter.

 

La Danse (Unrated) Dance documentary featuring seven productions mounted by the Paris Opera Ballet. (In French with subtitles)

 

Endgame (PG-13 for violence, profanity and disturbing images) South African docudrama revolving around the secret negotiations between the Apartheid regime and the African National Congress which led to a peaceful transition to majority rule. With Clarke Peters as Nelson Mandela, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Thabo Mbeki, Matthew Marsh as F.W. de Klerk and Timothy West as P.W. Botha.

 

Make the Yuletide Gay (Unrated) Out-of-the-closet comedy about an openly-gay college student (Keith Jordan) who pretends to be straight while home over the holidays by dating his high school sweetheart (Hallee Hirsh) only to run into trouble when his boyfriend (Adamo Ruggiero) shows up unannounced. 

 

Splinterheads (Unrated) Road comedy about a young slacker (Thomas Middleditch) who falls for a traveling carnival con artist (Rachael Taylor) with a jealous boyfriend (Dean Winters). With Christopher McDonald, Lea Thompson and Frankie Faison.

 

That Evening Sun (PG-13 for violence, sexuality, profanity and mature themes) Revenge drama featuring a feisty octogenarian (Hal Holbrook) who runs away from his nursing home only to discover that his son (Walter Goggins) has leased the family farm to his arch enemy (Ray McKinnon).

 

You Cannot Start without Me (Unrated) Musical bio-pic chronicles a year in the life of Moscow-born Valery Gergiev, the principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra.