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 February 19, 2010

BIG BUDGET FILMS

Blood Done Sign My Name (PG-13 for profanity, mature themes and intense violence) Historical drama recounting the role civil rights activist Reverend Ben Chavis (Nate Parker) played in his backwoods North Carolina town during the trial of a Ku Klux Klan-sympathizer (Nick Searcy) for the murder of a black Vietnam vet (A.C. Sanford). Cast includes Ricky Schroeder, Lela Rochon and Omar Benson Miller.

The Ghost Writer (PG-13 for profanity, sexuality, nudity violence and drug use) Roman Polanski directed this adaptation of Robert Harris’ best seller about a ghostwriter (Ewan McGregor) who uncovers secrets which put his life in jeopardy while doing research for the memoirs of a former British prime minister (Pierce Brosnan). With Olivia Williams, Kim Cattrall, Timothy Hutton, Jim Belushi, Tom Wilkinson and Eli Wallach.

Shutter Island (R for profanity, nudity and disturbing violence) Martin Scorcese directed this adaptation of Dennis Lehane’s thriller, set in 1954, about a U.S. Marshal (Leonardo DiCaprio) with a new partner (Mark Ruffalo) sent to investigating the escape of a murderer (Emily Mortimer) from a hospital for the criminally-insane located on a remote island. Ensemble includes Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Max von Sydow, Patricia Clarkson and Jackie Earle Haley.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

The Art of the Steal (Unrated) Courtroom documentary about the legal battle for control of the Barnes Foundation which contains a priceless collection of Modern and Post-Impressionistic paintings.

The Girl on the Train (Unrated) Cross-cultural drama, about a battered Jewish woman (Emilie Dequenne) who creates a media circus by falsely claiming to be the victim of an anti-Semitic attack by Arab teenagers. With Catherine Deneuve, Michel Blanc and Nicolas Duvauchelle. (In French with subtitles)

The Good Guy (R for sexuality and pervasive profanity) Romantic comedy about a Wall Street whiz (Scott Porter) who comes to regret taking a nerdy protégé (Bryan Greenberg) under his wing when the geeky ingrate goes after his beautiful girlfriend (Alexis Bledel).

Happy Tears (R for profanity, drug use, sexuality and brief nudity) Sibling rivalry drama revolving around the family skeletons and painful childhood memories unearthed when two sisters (Demi Moore and Parker Posey) move back home to care for their senile, septuagenarian father (Rip Torn). With Ellen Barkin, Christian Camargo and Billy Magnussen.

Lourdes (Unrated) Faith-based drama about a wheelchair-bound woman (Sylvie Testud) with multiple sclerosis who makes a pilgrimage to the famed grotto at Lourdes in search of a miracle at the sacred shrine where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette back in 1858. (In French, English, German and Italian with subtitles)

Phyllis and Harold (Unrated) Director Cindy Kleine relied on a montage of home movies and interviews to cobble together this documentary deconstructing her own parents’ disastrous, 59-year marriage.