Kam's Movie Kapsules for 3-29-2013

OPENING THIS WEEK

Kam's Kapsules:      

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun         

by Kam Williams

For movies opening March 29, 2013

BIG BUDGET FILMS   

G.I. Joe: Retaliation (PG-13 for profanity, brief sensuality and pervasive violence) Revenge-themed sequel finds the intrepid, special force Army unit on a mission to save the world while clearing its name after being framed by a traitor (Arnold Vosloo) posing as U.S. President (Jonathan Pryce). Starring Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis, Channing Tatum and RZA the rapper.      

The Host (PG-13 for violence and some sensuality) Sci-fi thriller about a young woman (Saoirse Ronan) who is willing to risk everything to save mankind after an unseen race of parasitic aliens starts erasing people’s memories. With Diane Kruger, William Hurt, Frances Fisher and Bokeem Woodbine.

The Place beyond the Pines (R for violence, sexuality, pervasive profanity, and teen drug and alcohol abuse) Gritty crime saga about a motorcycle stunt rider (Ryan Gosling) whose moonlighting as a bank robber to support his girlfriend (Eva Mendez) and newborn puts him on a collision course with an ambitious, rookie police officer (Bradley Cooper). Cast includes Rose Byrne, Ray Liotta and Bruce Greenwood.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Blancanieves (PG-13 for violence and sexuality) Silent version of a classic fairy tale, set in the 1920’s, reimagines Snow White (Angelina Molina) as a bullfighter being rescued from a wicked stepmother (Maribel Verdu) by a half-dozen, tiny toreadors. Ole, Sneezy! With Pere Ponce, Daniel Gimenez Cacho and Macarena Garcia. (In Spanish with subtitles)

Code of the West (Unrated) Ganja documentary revisiting the heated, 2011 debate in Montana about whether it should become the first state to repeal its medical marijuana law.

Family Weekend (R for sexuality and drug use) Quality time comedy about a frustrated teenager (Olesya Rulin) who takes her parents (Matthew Modine and Kristin Chenoweth) hostage after they fail to attend her jump rope competition. With Joey King, Shirley Jones and Chloe Bridges. 

Mental (Unrated) Dysfunctional family dramedy about a charismatic nanny (Toni Collette) hired to raise five teenage sisters (Lily Sullivan, Bethany Whitmore, Malorie O’Neill, Nicole Freeman and Chelsea Bennett) whose institutionalized mother (Rebecca Gibney) suffered a nervous breakdown after being unable to cope with their politician father’s (Anthony LaPaglia) shameless philandering. With Liev Schreiber, Caroline Goodall and Kerry Fox.

Renoir (R for nudity and brief profanity) Costume drama, set on the French Riviera during the summer of 1915, revolving around the convalescence of Impressionist painter Auguste Renoir’s (Michael Bouquet) son, Jean (Vincent Rottiers), a soldier wounded while serving in World War I. Cast includes Christa Theret, Thomas Doret and Michele Gleizer. (In French and Italian with subtitles)

The Revolutionary Optimists (Unrated) East Indian documentary, set in the slums of Calcutta, where poor kids are being empowered to overcome poverty by picking themselves up by their bootstraps. (In Bengali with subtitles)

Room 237 (Unrated) Conspiracy theory documentary deciphering the subliminal secret messages supposedly hidden in the movie The Shining by director Stanley Kubrick. Featuring archival footage of Nicole Kidman, Tom Cruise and the late Scatman Crothers.

Somebody Up There Likes Me (Unrated) Buddy comedy about best friends (Keith Poulson and Nick Offerman) who are both in love with the same woman (Jess Wexler). Cast includes Kevin Corrigan, Megan Mullally and Stephanie Hunt.

Temptation (PG-13 for violence, sexuality and drug use) Tyler Perry wrote and directed this modern morality play about a jaded marriage counselor (Jurnee Smollett) who cheats on her husband (Lance Gross) of six years with a wealthy media mogul (Robbie Jones). With Kim Kardashian, Vanessa Williams and Brandy Norwood.

Triumph of the Wall (Unrated) Buddy documentary that took eight years to complete about two pals’ two-month road trip. 

Violeta Went to Heaven (Unrated) Francisca Gavilan stars as the title character in this reverential biopic about the life and times of the legendary Chilean singer and folklorist Violeta Parra. With Thomas Durand, Christian Quevedo and Gabriela Aguilera. (In Spanish, French and Polish with subtitles)

Welcome to the Punch (Unrated) Cat-and-mouse crime thriller, set in London, about a father (Mark Strong) and son’s (Elyes Gabel) attempt to elude a determined detective (James McAvoy) after a heist gone bad. With David Morrissey, Daniel Mays and Andrea Riseborough.

Wrong (Unrated) Serendipitous drama about a dog lover (Jack Plotnick) who touches the lives of numerous strangers while searching for his missing pet pooch. Supporting cast includes Eric Judor, Alexis Dziena and Steve Little.