Kam's Movie Kapsules for 10-4-13

OPENING THIS WEEK

Kam's Kapsules:      

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun         

by Kam Williams

For movies opening October 4, 2013

BIG BUDGET FILMS   

Gravity (PG-13 for intense peril, disturbing images and brief strong profanity) Sci-fi survival thriller about a veteran astronaut (George Clooney) and a medical engineer (Sandra Bullock) on her first mission who find themselves in a race against time when they’re left suspended in space with limited oxygen after satellite debris destroys their rocket ship during a spacewalk. With Ed Harris, Amy Warren, Basher Savage and Paul Sharma.     

Runner, Runner (R for profanity and sexuality) Crime drama about a Princeton grad student (Justin Timberlake) who travels to Costa Rica to confront the owner of an online poker website (Ben Affleck) after being cheated out of his tuition money, only to become the corrupt mobster’s right hand man. Support cast includes Gemma Arterton, Anthony Mackie and Michael Asper. 

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS  

A.C.O.D. (R for profanity and brief sexuality) Dysfunctional family comedy about a man (Adam Scott) left traumatized by his parents’ (Catherine O’Hara and Richard Jenkins) bitter divorce who ends up victimized again when his younger brother’s (Clark Duke) wedding brings them back together again. With Amy Poehler, Jane Lynch, Jessica Alba and Ken Howard.

 Bad Milo (R for profanity, sexuality and graphic violence) Horror comedy about a stressed-out office worker (Ken Marino) who learns that his stomach pain isn’t from an ulcer but being caused by a demon living in his intestines. Featuring Stephen Root, Patrick Warburton, Mary Kay Place and Gillian Jacobs.

Concussion (R for profanity and graphic sexuality) Robin Weigert stars in this midlife crisis drama about a lesbian disillusioned with her humdrum life who decides to try a new line of work as a prostitute catering to females after being hit in the head by a baseball. Cast includes Maggie Siff, Ben Shenkman and Emily Kinney.

Five Dances (Unrated) Coming-of-age drama, set in Manhattan, revolving around an aspiring ballet dancer (Ryan Steele) torn between pursuing his passion and feelings of responsibility about his fractured family back in the Midwest. With Lulu Roche, Kimiye Corwin and Reed Luplau.      

Grace Unplugged (PG for mature themes and teen drinking) Prodigal Daughter drama about a rebellious 18 year-old (A.J. Michalka) who runs away to L.A. in search of fame and fortune as a pop singer only to learn that faith and family are far more important. With James Denton, Kevin Pollak and Shawnee Smith.

I Used to Be Darker (Unrated) American Dream drama about a runaway (Deragh Campbell) from Northern Ireland who takes refuge with relatives in Maryland only to discover that her aunt (Kim Taylor) and uncle’s (Ned Oldham) marriage is in crisis. Support cast includes Hannah Gross, Nicholas Petr and Geoff Grace.

Linsanity (Unrated) Hoop dreams documentary revisiting Harvard point guard Jeremy Lin’s unlikely transformation into an overnight NBA sensation over the course of two weeks in 2012 when he made the most of a chance to fill-in for a New York Knicks’ injured starter. 

Parkland (PG-13 for profanity, smoking, violent images and graphic emergency room procedures) JFK assassination drama recounting the futile efforts of doctors and nurses to save the president’s (Brett Stimely) life at Parkland Hospital after he suffered fatal wounds at the hands of Lee Harvey Oswald (Jeremy Strong). A-list ensemble includes Zac Efron, Billy Bob Thornton, Paul Giamatti, Marcia Gay Harden, Colin Hanks, Jacki Weaver and Jackie Earle Haley.  

Red Wing (Unrated) Coming-of-age drama chronicling the perilous journey of an orphan (Glen Powell) into manhood as he attempts to maintain his honor and integrity in the face of hostility. Supporting cast features Bill Paxton, Luke Perry and Frances Fisher.

The Summit (R for profanity) Five miles-high documentary revisiting the deadly day on K2 in 2008 when the so-called “Savage Mountain” mysteriously claimed the lives of 11 climbers.