Thursday, November 10, 2011

Kam's Kapsules: For movies opening November 18, 2011

OPENING THIS WEEK
Kam's Kapsules:
Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
by Kam Williams
For movies opening November 18, 2011


BIG BUDGET FILMS

Happy Feet Two (PG for rude humor and mild scenes of peril) Animated 3-D sequel revolving around Mumbles’ (Elijah Wood) uncoordinated son (Elizabeth Daily) who runs away from home only to be befriended by a mighty flying penguin (Hank Azaria). Voice cast includes Robin Williams, Common, Pink, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and Hugo Weaving.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 (PG-13 for violence, sexuality, disturbing images, mature themes and partial nudity) 4th installment in the fantasy franchise finds Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) marrying and anticipating the birth of a mixed-species baby which poses a threat both to the vampire coven and riival Jacob’s (Taylor Lautner) wolf pack. With Billy Burke, Nikki Reed and Kellan Lutz.


INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Another Happy Day (R for pervasive profanity, sexual references, brief graphic nudity and teen drug and alcohol abuse) Dysfunctional family drama chronicling the trials and tribulations of a distraught divorcee (Ellen Barkin) when she ventures to her parents’ (George Kennedy and Ellen Burstyn) estate in Annapolis for the marriage of her estranged son (Michael Nardelli). With Kate Bosworth, Demi Moore and Thomas Haden Church.

Buried Prayers (Unrated) Holocaust documentary recounting the horrors of Maidanek, a concentration camp where ill-fated internees began burying their gold and other valuables prior to extermination to hide them from the Nazis. (In Polish and English with subtitles)

The Descendants (R for profanity and sexual references) Screen adaptation of Kaui Hart Hemmings’ bittersweet novel of the same name about a Hawaii land baron (George Clooney) forced to take custody of his daughters (Amara Miller and Shailene Woodley) after his estranged wife (Patricia Hastie) is left in a vegetative state by a tragic boating accident. Supporting cast includes Beau Bridges, Robert Forster and Judy Greer.

Eames: The Architect & the Painter (Unrated) James Franco narrates this benevolent biopic chronicling the life and times of Charles (1907-1978) and Ray Eames (1912-1988), the husband-and-wife team who were among America’s most influential industrial designers.

The Greater Good (Unrated) Vaccines are the subject of this incendiary documentary examining the hype and fear surrounding the polarizing question of whether childhood inoculations are safe.

In Heaven, Underground (Unrated) Holocaust documentary about the recent restoration of Berlin’s Weissensee Jewish Cemetery, created in 1880, which fell into disrepair in the wake of World War II. (In German, Hebrew, English and Russian with subtitles)

King of Devil’s Island (Unrated) Historical drama, set on a fjord near Oslo in the early 20th Century, recounting the real-life ordeal of incarcerated juvenile delinquents who plotted a violent revolt against the sadistic warden (Stellan Skarsgard) responsible for their inhumane living conditions. With Trond Nilssen, Daniel Berg and Benjamin Helstad. (In Norwegian with subtitles)

The Lie (R for profanity and drug use) Diminished dreams drama about an aspiring musician (Joshua Leonard) who reluctantly takes a 9-5 job to support the family after the birth of an unplanned baby (Violet Long) while his wife (Jess Weixler) is in law school. With Kelli Garner, Alia Shawkat and Jane Adams.

Rid of Me (Unrated) Katie O’Grady stars in this dark comedy charting the emotional breakdown and rebirth of a woman on the road to self-discovery. With John Keyser, Storm Large and Betty Moyer.

Tomboy (Unrated) Genderbending drama about a 10-year old girl (Zoe Heran) who decides to pass herself off as male to a new friend (Jeanne Disson) when her family moves to suburban Paris. With Malonn Levana, Sophie Cattani and Mathieu Demy. (In French with subtitles)

Tyrannosaur (Unrated) Redemption drama about an unemployed, alcoholic widower (Peter Mullan) with a short temper who attempts to turn his life around with the help of a devout Christian (Olivia Colman) with her own checkered past. With Eddie Marsan, Paul Popplewell and Julia Mallam.

No comments: