Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Kam's Kapsules: For movies opening July 29, 2011

OPENING THIS WEEK
Kam's Kapsules:
Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
by Kam Williams
For movies opening July 29, 2011


BIG BUDGET FILMS

Attack the Block (R for violence, drug use and pervasive profanity) Horror comedy chronicling the valiant effort of a gang of teenagers from South London to defend their ‘hood during an alien invasion. Starring Nick Frost, Jodie Whittaker, Alex Esmail, John Boyega and Luke Treadaway.

Cowboys & Aliens (PG-13 for violence, brief nudity and a crude reference)
Sci-fi adventure set in 1875 in the Wild, Wild West where a mysterious gunslinger (Daniel Craig) forms a posse to defend a desolate, desert town after a spaceship from outer space starts abducting people one by one. Directed by Jon Favreau and co-starring Harrison Ford, Abigail Spencer, Keith Carradine and Sam Rockwell.

Crazy, Stupid, Love (PG-13 for profanity, sexuality and coarse humor) Midlife crisis comedy about an awkward nerd (Steve Carell) just dumped by his adulterous wife (Julianne Moore) who transforms himself into a suave ladies man with the help of a shameless playboy (Ryan Gosling). Cast includes Kevin Bacon, Emma Stone, Marisa Tomei and Josh Groban.

The Smurfs (PG for action and mild rude humor) 3-D animated/live action adventure featuring the arrival of an army of diminutive blue creatures in New York’s Central Park after they are chased through a portal from medieval times to the present by an evil wizard (Hank Azaria). Starring Neil Patrick Harris and Jayma Mays with voiceover work by Katy Perry, George Lopez, Fred Armisen, Jeff Foxworthy, Kenan Thompson and Paul “Pee Wee Herman” Reubens.


INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

All She Can (Unrated) Overcoming-the-odds saga about a high school weightlifter (Corina Calderon) who sees winning an athletic scholarship to the University of Texas as her only ticket out of a godforsaken Texas town. With Julia Vera, Julio Cedillo and Julian Works.

El Bulli: Cooking in Progress (Unrated) Culinary documentary offering a behind-the-scenes peek at the chefs as they prepare the imaginative array of succulent dishes on the menu at El Bulli, the critically-acclaimed gourmet restaurant with a view of the Catalonian seacoast which is slated to close after 50 years despite just being dubbed the best bistro in the world by the New York Times. (In Catalan with subtitles)

The Devil’s Double (Unrated) Chilling bio-pic about the Iraqi Army lieutenant (Dominic Cooper) forced under the threat of death to serve as a body double for Saddam Hussein’s (Philip Quast) sadistic and sexually-depraved son, Uday (also Dominic Cooper). With Ludivine Sagnier, Jamie Harding and Mem Ferda.

The Future (Unrated) Romance drama about a couple in crisis (Miranda July and Hamish Linklater) who find their relationship further tested when they adopt a stray cat. With David Warshofsky, Isabella Acres and Joe Putterlik.

Golf in the Kingdom (PG for mild epithets) Screen adaptation of Esalen Institute founder Michael Murphy’s semi-autobiographical novel of the same name about a guy headed to an Indian ashram who gets a life-changing lesson in spirituality en route from a guru (David O’Hara) while on the links of a mythical course during a layover in Scotland. With Frances Fisher, Tony Curran and Mason Gamble.

Good Neighbors (Unrated) “State Farm” crime comedy set in the Notre Dame section of Montreal where, during the winter of 1995, a serial killer on the loose has the tenants of an apartment building unsure about whether they can trust each other. Featuring Jay Baruchel, Scott Speedman and Xavier Dolan.

The Guard (Unrated) Unlikely-buddy comedy about a quick-tempered Irish cop (Brendan Gleeson) who teams with a relatively-mild-mannered, FBI agent (Don Cheadle) to crack an international drug-smuggling ring operating in Galway. With Fionnula Flanagan, Mark Strong and Liam Cunningham. (In English and Gaelic with subtitles)

House of Boys (Unrated) Homoerotic, coming-of-age drama, set in 1984, about a rebellious, gay teen (Layke Anderson) who runs away to Amsterdam where he seduces his straight roommate (Benn Northover) into a torrid love affair that takes a tragic turn when he ends up HIV+. Woth Loic Peckels, Harry Ferrier and Sascha Ley. (In English, French, German and Luxembourgish with subtitles)

Life in a Day (Unrated) Experimental documentary, shot simultaneously by dozens of directors in different locations all over the world, designed to serve as a cinematic time capsule showing what life was like on the planet on July 24th, 2010.

Point Blank (Unrated) High body-count thriller about a nurse (Gilles Lellouche) who saves a mobster’s (Roschdy Zem) life in the hospital only to have the hit man’s henchmen kidnap his pregnant wife (Elena Anaya) in order to free their boss. With Gerard Lanvin, Claire Perot and Moussa Maaskri. (In French with subtitles)

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