Thursday, July 7, 2011

Kam's Kapsules: For movies opening July 15, 2011

OPENING THIS WEEK
Kam's Kapsules:
Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
by Kam Williams
For movies opening July 15, 2011


BIG BUDGET FILMS

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (PG-13 for frightening images and intense violence) Final chapter of the fabled J.K. Rowling franchise finds Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and friends Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) searching for the three remaining Horcruxes en route to an epic showdown with merciless Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). With Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon, Helena Bonham Carter and Robbie Coltrane.

Winnie the Pooh (G) Animated Disney adventure features Winnie (Jim Cummings) leading a menagerie of animal pals on a quest to save Christopher Robin (Jack Boulter) from a creature called Backson (Huell Howser). Voice cast includes Craig Ferguson, John Cleese and Tom Kenny.


INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Daylight (Unrated) Psychological thriller about a young married couple (Aidan Redmond and Alexandra Meierhans) who end up kidnapped when they stop to pick up a hitchhiker (Michael Godere) while driving through the woods on their way to a wedding. With Ivan Martin, Brian Bickerstaff and Aylam Orian.

Girlfriend (Unrated) Romance drama revolving around a single-mom’s (Shannon Woodward) being courted by both her abusive ex (Jackson Rathbone) and a former classmate (Evan Sneider) with Down Syndrome whose mom (Amanda Plummer) has just died. Support cast includes Harrison Lees, Rachel Melvin and Blake Berris.

Gunless (Unrated) Comic Western about a pistol-packing outlaw (Paul Gross) wanted Dead or Alive in Montana who flees across the Canadian border with bounty hunters on his trail to a quiet town where the local militia joins the chase. With Sienna Guillory, Graham Greene, Dustin Milligan and Callum Keith Rennie.

Hood to Coast (Unrated) Track and field documentary follows the fate of four teams among the thousands of entrants competing in the world’s longest relay race, a grueling, 197-mile test of endurance across Oregon from Mount Hood to the Pacific Ocean.

Impolex (Unrated) WWII farce, set after the cessation of hostilities, about an American soldier (Riley O’Bryan) sent on a solo mission across Europe to locate and retrieve a couple of undetonated, Nazi rockets. With Ben Shapiro, Roy Berkeley and Kate Lyn Sheil.

Life, Above All (PG-13 for sexuality and mature themes) Bittersweet drama, set in South Africa, about a stoic 12 year-old (Khomotso Manyaka) who summons up the courage to fight the fear and shame plaguing her tiny, tight-knit community in the wake of an AIDS outbreak which has devastated her family. Cast includes Harriet Manamela, Lerato Myelase and Aubrey Poolo. (In Sotho with subtitles)

Lucky (Unrated) Dark comedy starring Colin Hanks as a serial killer who finds the confidence to pursue the girl of his dreams (Ari Graynor) after winning $36 million in the Iowa State Lottery. With Jeffrey Tambor, Ann-Margret and Mimi Rogers.

Salvation Boulevard (Unrated) Social satire based on Larry Beinhart’s best seller of the same name about the charismatic pastor (Pierce Brosnan) of a mega church who’s more interested in fleecing his flock than saving their souls. Cast includes Greg Kinnear, Jennifer Connelly, Marisa Tomei, Howard Hesseman and Ed Harris.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (PG-13 for sexuality, violence, disturbing images and drug use) Screen adaptation of Lisa See’s historical novel, set in 19th C. China, chronicling the lifelong friendship of two girls (Jennifer Lim and Christina Y. Jun) who develop their own secret language in reaction to being raised in isolation by their families. With Archie Kao, Vivian Wu and Hugh Jackman.

Tabloid (Unrated) Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Errol Morris (for Fog of War) directs this “good girl gone bad” bio-pic about Joyce McKinney, a former Miss Wyoming who was arrested for the abduction and rape of a Mormon missionary.

The Tree (Unrated) Melancholy drama about a grief-stricken 8 year-old girl (Morgana Davies) who is convinced that the spirit of her recently-deceased father continues to speak to her through the leaves of her favorite tree in the backyard. With Charlotte Gainsbourg, Marton Csokas and Christian Byers.

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