Thursday, February 3, 2011

Kam's Kapsules: For movies opening February 11, 2011

OPENING THIS WEEK
Kam's Kapsules:
Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
by Kam Williams
For movies opening February 11, 2011


BIG BUDGET FILMS

Gnomeo and Juliet (G) Animated Disney update of the Shakespeare classic as a tale of forbidden love between a couple of star-crossed lawn ornaments (James McAvoy and Emily Blunt) from feuding families. Featuring voiceovers by Jason Statham, Michael Caine, Ozzy Ozbourne, Hulk Hogan and Dolly Parton, with songs by Lady Gaga and Sir Elton John.

Just Go with It (PG-13 for profanity, sexuality, partial nudity, drug references and pervasive crude humor) Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston co-star in this romantic comedy about a plastic surgeon who asks his assistant to pose as his estranged wife in order to convince his young girlfriend (Brooklyn Decker) that he’s really married. Ensemble cast includes Nicole Kidman, Dave Matthews, Kevin Nealon, Heidi Montag, Rachel Dratch and Dan Patrick.

Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (G) Concert flick featuring performances from the teeny-bop singing sensation’s 2010 “My World Tour” interspliced with footage from his childhood home movies.


INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Carancho (Unrated) Argentine romance drama, set in Buenos Aires, and revolving around an ambulance-chasing attorney (Ricardo Darin) who falls in love with the idealistic young doctor (Martina Gusman) who’s trying to save the life of a patient he wants as a client. With Carlos Weber, Jose Luis Arias and Loren Acuna. (In Spanish with subtitles)

Carbon Nation (Unrated) Eco-documentary suggesting an array of solutions for averting the impending, disastrous consequences of climate change. With appearances by ex-Obama Administration Green Czar Van Jones, Virgin Atlantic CEO Richard Branson and former CIA Director James Woolsey.

Cedar Rapids (R for sexuality, vulgarity, profanity and drug use) Raunchy buddy comedy about a repressed insurance salesman (Ed Helms) who turns a new leaf at a convention in Iowa where he is pressured to loosen up by a couple of party animals (John C. Reilly and Isiah Whitlock, Jr.) and a seductive colleague (Anne Heche). With Stephen Root and Rob Corddry.

Certifiably Jonathan (Unrated) Reverential retrospective on the life and times of rubber-faced comedian Jonathan Winters includes B&W footage of classic performances, tributes by colleagues like Robin Williams, Robert Klein, Rob Reiner, Jimmy Kimmel, Tim Conway and Sarah Silverman, plus coverage of the versatile septuagenarian’s second career as an artist.

The Eagle (PG-13 for battle sequences and disturbing sequences) Historical epoch, set in 140 A.D., revolving around the arrival of a young Roman centurion (Channing Tatum) sent to England with a slave (Jamie Bell) by Marcus Aurelius to recover the emblem of the Ninth Legion which had mysteriously disappeared into thin air 20 years earlier under the leadership of his late father (Aladar Lakloth). Cast includes Donald Sutherland, Paul Ritter and Denis O’Hare.

Lovers of Hate (Unrated) Sibling rivalry comedy about a best-selling author (Alex Karpovsky) of children’s novels who steals the wife (Heather Kafka) of his older brother, a struggling writer reduced to living in his car. With Zach Green, Dan Brown and Harper Cummings.

Mooz-Lum (PG-13 for violence and mature themes) Dysfunctional family drama about a devout Muslim-American (Roger Guenveur Smith) who emotionally alienates his wife (Nia Long) and kids (Evan Ross and Kimberley Drummond) by forcing them to follow orthodox religious practices and dress codes. With Danny Glover, Dorian Missick and Summer Bishil.

Orgasm Inc. (Unrated) Shocking expose’ about the pharmaceutical industry’s rush to put a Female Sexual Dysfunction drug on the market for the sake of a billion-dollar payday, in spite of evidence of potentially-dangerous side effects.

Poetry (Unrated) Deliberately-paced drama about an aging woman’s (Jeong-hie Yun) agonizing over her 16 year-old grandson’s (Da-wit Lee) participation in a gang rape of a classmate which led to the victim’s suicide. With Nae-sang Ahn, Hira Kim and Yong-taek Kim. (In Korean with subtitles)

The Sky Turns (Unrated) Deliberately-paced documentary chronicling a year in the life of the colorful local yokels in director Mercedes Alvarez’s hometown of AldealseƱor, a bucolic village in rural Spain with a dwindling population of just 46. (In Spanish with subtitles)

Vidal Sassoon: The Movie (Unrated) Bio-pic chronicling the rise of the hair care mogul from his humble roots in a London orphanage for Jews to celebrated Sixties salon icon.

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