Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Kam's Kapsules: For movies opening June 17, 2011

OPENING THIS WEEK
Kam's Kapsules:
Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
by Kam Williams
For movies opening June 17, 2011


BIG BUDGET FILMS

Green Lantern (PG-13 for intense sci-fi violence) Ryan Reynolds stars as the title character in this action adventure based on the DC Comics series about a test pilot-turned-superhero and intergalactic leader of a brotherhood of warriors committed to world peace. Supporting cast includes Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard and Mark Strong.

Mr. Popper’s Penguins (PG for rude humor and mild epithets) Jim Carrey stars in the screen adaptation of the beloved children’s novel of the same name about a clueless businessman who gets a big lesson about what really matters when his life is turned upside-down by the six penguins he inherits. With Carla Gugino, Angela Lansbury and Philip Baker Hall.


INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

The Art of Getting By (Unrated) Coming-of-age drama, set in Manhattan, about a depressed, prep school slacker (Freddie Highmore) whose pessimistic outlook on life finally brightens after he’s befriended by an equally-jaded classmate (Emma Roberts). Ensemble includes Blair Underwood, Sasha Spielberg (daughter of Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw), Rita Wilson (wife of Tom Hanks), Sam Robards (son of Jason Robards and Lauren Bacall), Alicia Silverstone, Michael Angarano and Marcus Carl Franklin.

Battle for Brooklyn (Unrated) Eminent domain documentary about the seven-year legal fight led by resident David Goldstein against real estate developers determined to flatten his Prospect Heights neighborhood in order to build a stadium for the NBA’s New Jersey Nets.

Beginning of the Great Revival (Unrated) Communist Party propaganda drama, unfolding in China over the course of most of the 20th Century, recounting the rise of the People’s Revolution and the subsequent reign of Chairman Mao (Ye Liu). Starring John Woo, Andy Lau, Daniel Wu and Wei Tang. (In Mandarin with subtitles)

Buck (Unrated) Cowboy bio-pic about the legendary Buck Brannaman, a horse whisperer famous across Big Sky Country for an unorthodox approach to breaking bucking broncos.

The Colors of the Prism, The Mechanics of Time (Unrated) Avant Garde Movement retrospective exploring the cultural contributions of such visionary American composers and choreographers as Philip Glass, Meredith Monk, Terry Riley, La Monte Young, Steve Reich, Pauline Oliveros and Gavin Bryars.

Jig (Unrated) Happy feet documentary highlighting the grueling training regimen of several entrants in preparation to compete in the 40th Annual Irish Dance World Championships staged in Glasgow, Scotland.

Kidnapped (Unrated) Grisly revenge thriller, set in Madrid, about a well-to-do family from an exclusive gated community which turns the tables on the trio of masked intruders (Guillermo Barrientos, Dritan Biba and Martijn Kuiper) who had taken them hostage in their own home. Cast includes Fernando Cayo, Cesar Diaz and Manuela Velles. (In Spanish with subtitles)

Page One: Inside the New York Times (R for profanity and sexual references) Fourth Estate documentary chronicling a year inside the pressroom of the proverbial paper of record.

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