Thursday, April 5, 2012

Kam's Movie Kapsules for 4-13-12

OPENING THIS WEEK
Kam's Kapsules:
Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
by Kam Williams
For movies opening April 13, 2012


BIG BUDGET FILMS

The Cabin in the Woods (R for profanity, drug use, sexuality, nudity and graphic violence) Genre-bending horror flick about five friends (Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz and Jesse Williams) who find more than they bargained for during a gruesome getaway at a remote retreat so deep in the forest it’s off the grid. With Richard Jenkins, Amy Acker and Bradley Whitford.

Lockout (PG-13 for profanity, sexual references and intense violence) Futuristic, sci-fi thriller about a wrongly-convicted federal agent (Guy Pearce) who is offered a pardon in return for rescuing the President’s daughter (Maggie Grace) from an outer space prison where she’s been taken hostage by bloodthirsty inmates. Featuring Peter Stormare, Vincent Regan and Lennie James.

The Three Stooges (PG for slapstick violence, crude humor and double entendres) Chris Diamantopoulos, Sean Hayes and Will Sasso co-star as Moe, Larry and Curly, respectively, in this madcap adventure which has the hapless trio landing their own reality show after uncovering a murder plot while trying to rescue their cash-strapped, childhood orphanage. Ensemble cast includes Jane Lynch, Jennifer Hudson, Sofia Vergara, Larry David, Isaiah Mustafi and Jersey Shore’s Snooki and The Situation.

Woman Thou Art Loosed: On the 7th Day (PG-13 for sexuality, profanity, violence, drug and alcohol use, and mature themes) Faith-based drama about a happily-married couple (Blair Underwood and Sharon Leal) whose relationship is suddenly tested by dark secrets uncovered during the desperate search for their kidnapped, 4 year-old daughter (Zoe Carter). With Pam Greer, Bishop T.D. Jakes and Nicole Beharie.


INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Bad Ass (R for violence, torture, sexuality, nudity and pervasive profanity) Vigilante drama about a Vietnam vet (Danny Trejo) who decides to take the law into his own hands after the cops show no interest in solving the murder of his best friend (Harrison Page). With Charles S. Dutton, Ron Perlman, Joyful Drake and Winter Ave Zoli.

Deadline (PG-13 for mature themes) Crime drama, set in rural Alabama, recounting the real-life story of an idealistic newspaper reporter (Steve Talley) who, in spite of death threats, investigated the unsolved murder, 20 years earlier, of an African-American child. Cast includes Eric Roberts, Anna Felix and Jeremy Childs.

Detention (R for nudity, profanity, drug use, underage drinking, sexuality, violence and crude humor) Horror comedy about a sadistic serial killer (Carrie Wiita) who starts stalking high school students stuck in detention on the day of the senior prom. Cast includes Josh Hutcherson, Dane Cook and Shanley Caswell.

Here (Unrated) Romance drama, narrated by Peter Coyote, about an American cartographer (Ben Foster) who falls in love with a photographer (Lubna Azabal) from a peasant family while on assignment in Armenia. With Aren Vatyan, Garik Chepchyan and Nerik Nersisyan. (In English and Armenian with subtitles)

The Lady (R for violence and bloody images) Michelle Yeoh stars in the title role of this biopic about Nobel Peace Prize-winner Aung San Suu Kyi, the political prisoner recently-freed by the Burmese government after being kept under house arrest for 15 years. With David Thewlis as her husband, Michael Aris, and featuring Jonathan Woodhouse, Susan Wooldridge and Benedict Wong. (In English and Burmese with subtitles)

Last Will and Embezzlement (Unrated) Tarnished Golden Years documentary, narrated by Artie Pasquale, chronicling the epidemic of financial exploitation of the elderly by avaricious charlatans. Featuring commentary by Mickey Rooney, Pamela Glasner and Sandy Jolley.

Late Bloomers (Unrated) Relationship drama about a retired teacher (Isabella Rossellini) who pressures her architect husband (William Hurt) to make concessions to age as they both turn 60. With Doreen Mantle, Kate Ashfield and Aidan McArdle.

Life Happens (R for sexuality) Baby-mama comedy about a wild party girl (Krysten Ritter) finally forced to mature when she ends up pregnant after a one-night stand. With Kate Bosworth, Jason Biggs and Rhys Coiro.

Monsieur Lazhar (PG-13 for mature themes, brief profanity and a disturbing image) Mohamed Fellag handles the titular role of this bittersweet dramedy, set in Montreal, about an illegal immigrant, grieving the murder of his wife and children, hired to replace a recently-deceased, elementary school teacher who committed suicide. With Sophie Nelisse, Emilien Neron and Danielle Proulx.

Post Mortem (Unrated) Romance drama, set against the backdrop of the overthrow of President Allende in Chile in 1973, revolving around a 55 year-old morgue attendant (Alfredo Castro) who embarks on a frantic search for a missing burlesque dancer (Antonia Zegers) he has a crush on, following a raid on her family’s home by government soldiers. With Amparo Noguera, Jaime Vadell and Marcelo Alonso. (In Spanish with subtitles)

Touchback (PG-13 for mature themes) Redemption drama about a second shot at glory given a former high school football star (Brian Presley) 15 years after the knee injury that ended his promising career. With Kurt Russell, Christine Lahti and Melanie Lynskey.

Unraveled (Unrated) White-collar crime documentary about Marc Dreier, a Manhattan attorney sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of securities fraud for operating a Ponzi scheme which fleeced his victims of over $700 million.

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