Kam's Movie Kapsules for 8-24-12

OPENING THIS WEEK

Kam's Kapsules:      

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun         

by Kam Williams

For movies opening August 24, 2012

BIG BUDGET FILMS

The Apparition (PG-13 for terror, frightening images and sensuality) Haunted house horror flick about a young couple (Ashley Greene and Sebastian Stan) who enlist the help of an expert in the supernatural (Tom Felton) to rid their home of a ghost that arrived in the wake of an experiment in parapsychology gone amuck. Cast includes Julianna Guill, Rick Gomez and Anna Clark.

Hit and Run (R for sexuality, violence, drug use, graphic nudity and pervasive profanity) Romantic road comedy about a getaway driver (Dax Shepard) in the Witness Protection Program who risks blowing his cover to drive his girlfriend (Kristen Bell) cross-country while being chased by both the Feds and the gang he’s scheduled to testify against. Featuring Bradley Cooper, Tom Arnold, David Koechner and Kristin Chenoweth.

Premium Rush (PG-13 for violence and profanity) Peripatetic action thriller about a Manhattan bike messenger (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) being chased all over New York City after picking up an envelope at Columbia University containing incriminating evidence about a corrupt cop (Michael Shannon). With Dania Ramirez, Jamie Chung and Aasif Mandvi.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Death by China (Unrated) Outsourcing expose’ explaining why America has been in economic decline since the Peoples’ Republic joined the World Trade Organization in 2001 at the behest of Congress and multinational corporations.

General Education (PG-13 for sexuality and a drug reference) Teen comedy about a high school senior (Chris Sheffield) who has to hide from his parents (Janeane Garofalo and Larry Miller) that he still has to complete a science course over the summer in order to graduate and enter college in the fall on a tennis scholarship. With Bobby Campo,Elaine Hendrix and Maiara Walsh.

Hermano (Unrated) Overcoming-the-odds saga about a couple of siblings (Fernando Moreno and Eliu Armas) from the slums of Caracas who make the most of the opportunity of a lifetime when they are offered a tryout with their hometown’s pro soccer team. Featuring Beto Benites, Gonzalo Cubero and Marcela Giron. (In Spanish with subtitles)

Knight Knight (Unrated) Medieval comedy about a couple of knights in training (Tom Eykelhof and David Wayman) who embark on a zany adventure in search of cash and comfortable underwear. With Jonathan Hansler, Christina Bucher and Mingus Johnston.

Little White Lies (Unrated) Ensemble dramedy about a Parisian restaurateur (Francois Cluzet) whose annual summer getaway to Bordeaux with his wife (Valerie Bonneton) and friends turns confessional after one of the guests (Jean Dujardin) is left near death by an auto accident. Cast includes Marion Cotillard, Benoit Magimel and Gilles Lellouche. (In French with subtitles)

The Revenant (R for graphic violence, pervasive profanity, drug use, sexuality and graphic nudity) Horror comedy about a recently-deceased Iraq War vet (David Anders) who comes back to life as a bloodthirsty zombie. With Annie Abbott, Senyo Amoaku and Amy Correa.

Samsara (PG-13 for sexuality and disturbing images) Non-narrative meditation exploring assorted wonders of the world from the mundane to the miraculous while delving into the unfathomable depths of humanity’s spirituality.  

Somewhere Between (Unrated) Roots documentary about the struggle of four teenagers to make sense of their lives after being adopted in China and raised in the U.S. from infancy.  

Teddy Bear (Unrated) Asian bride drama about a lonely, 38 year-old bodybuilder (Kim Kold) desperate for true love who travels from Copenhagen to Thailand to find the girl of his dreams (Lamaiporn Hougaard). With David Winters, Elsebeth Steentoft and Barbara Zatler. (In Danish, Thai and English with subtitles)

The Victim (R for profanity, drug use, graphic sexuality and gruesome violence) Psychological thriller about a woman (Jennifer Blanc) who comes to rely on help from a hermit (Michael Biehn) she meets in the middle of the woods while being chased by the perpetrators (Ryan Honey and Denny Kirkwood) of a murder she’s just witnessed. With Danielle Harris, Tanya Newbould and Dana Daurey.

Wild Horse, Wild Ride (PG for profanity) Equine whisperer documentary chronicling the efforts of entrants in an annual bucking bronco competition to tame wild mustangs in a hundred days or less.