Kam's Movie Kapsules for 9-7-12

OPENING THIS WEEK

Kam's Kapsules:      

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun         

by Kam Williams

For movies opening September 7, 2012

BIG BUDGET FILMS

Bait 3-D (R for profanity, graphic violence and grisly images) Disaster flick about a group of residents of a beachfront community who find themselves surrounded by a swarm of great white sharks after a tsunami leaves them trapped inside a submerged grocery store. Cast includes Xavier Samuel, Julian McMahon and Phoebe Tonkin.   

The Words (PG-13 for smoking and brief profanity) Blind ambition is the theme of this emotional drama about a best-selling author (Bradley Cooper) who pays a price for achieving literary success by plagiarizing the work of another writer. Ensemble cast includes Zoe Saldana, Dennis Quaid, J.K. Simmons, Olivia Wilde and Jeremy Irons.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Baby Peggy (Unrated) Bittersweet retrospective chronicling the rise and fall of Diana Serra Cary, now 93, a Silent Era matinee idol who made millions back in the Twenties as one of Hollywood’s first child stars only to suffer a nervous breakdown after her parents frittered away her entire fortune.

Bachelorette (R for sexuality, drug use and pervasive profanity) Raunchy comedy about three members of a clique of mean girls (Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher and Lizzy Caplan) asked to serve as bridesmaids at the wedding of a former classmate (Rebel Wilson) they used to tease mercilessly back in high school. With James Marsden, Adam Scott and Kyle Bornheimer.

Branded (R for profanity and sexuality) Futuristic sci-fi thriller about one man’s (Ed Stoppard) valiant fight to expose the truth behind a mammoth corporate conspiracy to keep humanity disillusioned, dependent and passive via mind control. With Leelee Sobieski, Jeffrey Tambor and Max von Sydow.    

Brawler (R for profanity, sexuality, drug use and graphic violence) Sibling rivalry saga about a couple of brothers who agree to settle their differences in the ring in a death match at an underground fight club after one (Nathan Grubbs) catches the other (Marc Senter) cheating with his wife (Pell James). Supporting cast includes Michael Bowen, Bryan Batt and Megan Henning. 

The Cold Light of Day (PG-13 for profanity and sexuality) Political potboiler about a San Francisco businessman (Henry Cavill) whose family is abducted while vacationing in Spain by kidnappers demanding he hand over a briefcase he knows nothing about. With Bruce Willis, Sigourney Weaver and Roschdy Zem. (In English and Spanish with subtitles)

Desperate Endeavors (PG-13 for sexual references) Overcoming-the-odds drama, set in 1973, following an Indian immigrant’s (Ismail Bashey) dogged pursuit of the American Dream in New York City. Featuring Gulshan Grover, Lavrenti Lopes and Deborah Green.

Detropia (Unrated) Dire documentary from Oscar-nominated co-directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady (for Jesus Camp) painting a simultaneously surrealistic and sobering picture of Detroit suggesting that the host of woes visited upon the Motor City might be coming soon to a town near you.

For Ellen (Unrated) Custody drama revolving around an alcoholic, aspiring musician (Paul Dano), locked in a bitter divorce battle, who embarks on a long-distance drive to confront his estranged wife (Margarita Levieva) over his visitation rights regarding their 6 year-old daughter (Shaylena Mandigo). With Jon Heder, Jenna Malone and Dakota Johnson.

The Eye of the Storm (Unrated) Assisted suicide flashback flick, set in Sydney, surrounding the last days of a terminally-ill, family matriarch (Charlotte Rampling) determined to die on her own terms rather than face relocation to a nursing home. Featuring Geoffrey Rush, Judy Davis and Helen Morse.

Hello, I Must Be Going (R for profanity and sexuality) Romantic dramedy about a depressed divorcee (Melanie Lynskey) who moves in with her parents (Blythe Danner and John Rubenstein) in suburban Connecticut where she’s soon revitalized by an affair with an awkward teen (Johnathan Abbott) half her age. Support cast includes Julie White, Andrea Bordeaux and Sara Chase.

  

The Inbetweeners (R for coarse humor, graphic sexuality, frontal nudity, profanity and drug and alcohol abuse) Teensploitation comedy based on the British TV series of the same name examining the rowdy exploits of a quartet of high school grads (Simon Bird, James Buckley, Blake Harrison and Joe Thomas) vacationing in Crete. With Emily Head, Laura Haddock, Tamla Kari and Jessica Knappett.

Keep the Lights on (Unrated) Homoerotic drama about the tensions which develop between a gay filmmaker (Thure Lindhart) and a lawyer still in the closet (Zachary Booth) when their fling unexpectedly blossoms into love. Ensemble includes Julianne Nicholson, Paprika Steen and Souleymanne Sy Savane.

Serving Up Richard (Unrated) Cannibal-themed horror flick about a married couple (Susan Priver and Jude Ciccolella) with a taste for human flesh who get more than they bargained for when they set they start salivating over a guy (Ross McCall) answering their classified ad for a used car. With Brian Burke, Adam Kulbersh and Darby Stanchfield.