Kam's Movie Kapsules for 10-19-12

OPENING THIS WEEK

Kam's Kapsules:      

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun         

by Kam Williams

For movies opening October 19, 2012

BIG BUDGET FILMS

Alex Cross (PG-13 for violence, nudity, sexuality, drug references and disturbing images) Tyler Perry plays the title character in this cat-and-mouse thriller based on the James Patterson best seller about a revenge-minded police psychologist hell-bent on apprehending a sadistic serial killer (Matthew Fox). Ensemble cast includes Edward Burns, Carmen Ejogo, Cicely Tyson, Jean Reno and Giancarlo Esposito.

Paranormal Activity 4 (R for profanity, violence and terror) Latest installment in the horror franchise observes the odd goings-on that start occurring inside the home of a suburban family right after a murderer (Katie Featherston) moves in next-door. With Kathryn Newton, Matt Shively and Brady Allen.   

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

All Together (Unrated) Golden Years comedy about five elderly friends (Jane Fonda, Geraldine Chaplin, Pierre Richard, Claude Rich and Guy Bedos) who decide to live together rather than move to a retirement community. With Daniel Bruhl, Bernard Malaka and Camino Texeira. (In French and German with subtitles)

Big Foot: The Lost Coast Tapes (Unrated) Found-footage horror flick featuring a skeptical journalist (Drew Rauch) who gets the surprise of his life when he travels to Northern California to expose a supposed Sasquatch sighting as a hoax. Featuring Frank Ashmore, Noah Weisberg and Ashley Wood.

Brooklyn Castle (Unrated) Against-the-odds documentary chronicling the improbable triumphs of the nation’s #1, junior high chess team, a motley crew comprised of students from New York City’s I.S. 318, a cash-strapped school located in a poverty-stricken neighborhood.  

The First Time (PG-13 for profanity, partying, sexuality and mature themes) Coming-of-age romantic comedy revolving around two teenagers (Dylan O’Brien and Britt Robertson) who embark on a wild weekend after falling in love at first sight at a house party. With Craig Roberts, Christine Taylor and Maggie Elizabeth Jones.

The Flat (Unrated) Never Again documentary examining the shocking truths uncovered by the grandson of a couple of recently-deceased Holocaust survivors while sifting through the treasure trove of personal effects left behind in the Tel Aviv apartment they’d shared since escaping Nazi Germany.   

Holy Motors (Unrated) Dawn to dusk drama telescoping in on a day in the parallel lives of a shadowy character (Denis Lavant) capable of shape-shifting from assassin to family man to monster to captain of industry to beggar and back. With Eva Mendes, Edith Scob and Kylie Minogue. (In French, English and Mandarin with subtitles) 

My Worst Nightmare (Unrated) Romantic romp revolving around the love which blossoms between a well-to-do socialite (Isabelle Huppert) and a homeless ex-con (Benoit Poelvoorde) after they meet through their children. Supporting cast includes Andre Dussollier, Virginia Efira and Corentin Devroey. (In French, English, Flemish, German and Japanese with subtitles)

Nobody Walks (R for sexuality, profanity and drug use) Love triangle drama about a happily-married father of two (John Krasinski) who risks his marriage by cheating on his wife (Rosemarie DeWitt) with the aspiring writer (Olivia Thirlby) living in their pool house. With Dylan McDermott, India Ennenga and Justin Kirk.

Question One (Unrated) Gay rights documentary about the topsy-turvy battle over same-sex marriage in Maine, where it was legalized by the state legislature, only to be repealed seven months later.  

The Sessions (R for graphic sexuality, frontal nudity and frank dialogue)

Fact-based drama recounting the plight of a paralyzed polio victim (John Hawkes) who seeks his parish priest (William H. Macy) approval before hiring a sex surrogate (Helen Hunt) to lose his virginity. With Moon Bloodgood, Adam Arkin and Rhea Perlman.

Tai Chi Zero (Unrated) Martial arts showdown about a two-fisted drifter (Yuan Xiaochao) who saves the day when a squadron of soldiers descend on a village with plans to build a railroad there. Cast includes Qi Shu, Tony Leung, Eddie Peng and Angelbaby. (In Mandarin with subtitles)

That’s What She Said (R for sexuality and profanity) Female-bonding flick about the romantic misadventures of three friends (Anne Heche, Marcia DeBonis and Alia Shawkat) with relationship woes. With Miriam Shor, Nick Gregory and Kellie Overbey.

Unmasked Judeophobia (Unrated) Peripatetic documentary examines the recent resurfacing of anti-Semitism in Europe, North America and the Middle East. With commentary by attorney Alan Dershowitz, Senator Joe Lieberman, and former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton. 

We Are Legion (Unrated) Anarchist documentary about the work of an anonymous group of computer hackers discontent with the Digital Age, and especially the FBI, Scientology and GoDaddy.com.

Yogawoman (Unrated) Pretzel logic documentary explaining why the face of yoga has changed from male to female.