Kam's Movie Kapsules for 10-18-13

OPENING THIS WEEK

Kam's Kapsules:      

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun         

by Kam Williams

For movies opening October 18, 2013

BIG BUDGET FILMS   

12 Years a Slave (R for violence, torture, sexuality, nudity and ethnic slurs) Adaptation of the autobiography of the same name chronicling the ordeal of a black man (Chiwitel Ejiofor) born free in New York who was kidnapped and sold into bondage in the Deep South. A-list ensemble includes Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, Paul Giamatti, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano and Quvenzhane Wallis.  

Carrie (R for profanity, sexuality, graphic violence and disturbing images) Chloe Grace Moretz plays the title character in this remake of the 1976 Stephen King classic about a shy teenager who uses her telekinetic powers to exact revenge on the classmates who teased her at the senior prom. With Julianne Moore, Judy Greer, Portia Doubleday and Gabriella Wilde.

Escape Plan (R for violence and pervasive profanity) Action thriller starring Sly Stallone as a wrongfully-imprisoned structural engineer (Sly Stallone) who with the help of an industrious cellmate (Arnold Schwarzenegger) orchestrates a jailbreak from a high-security facility he designed. Featuring 50 Cent, Vinnie Jones, Jim Caviezel, Amy Ryan, Vincent D’Onofrio and Sam Neill.

The Fifth Estate (R for profanity and violence) Espionage thriller retracing the formation of Wikileaks on a shoestring budget by co-founders Julian Assange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Daniel Domsceit-Berg (Daniel Bruhl), as well as the organization’s quest to expose political corruption with the help of whistleblowers.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS  

All Is Lost (PG-13 for brief profanity) Robert Redford stars in this seafaring adventure revolving around an ancient mariner’s solo voyage across the Indian Ocean which turns into a desperate struggle for survival when his yacht collides with a shipping container adrift on the high seas.  

American Promise (Unrated) Delayed gratification documentary chronicling the efforts of two African-American families to improve their sons’ life prospects by placing an emphasis on the quality of their education.

Big Ass Spider (PG-13 for violence and gore) Sci-fi horror flick about an exterminator (Greg Gunberg) who joins forces with a team of scientists to subdue a giant alien spider rampaging around Los Angeles. With Lin Shaye, Ray Wise and Lloyd Kaufman.

Camille Claudel 1915 (Unrated) Bittersweet biopic highlighting the life of the reclusive sculptor (Juliette Binoche), a lover and protégé of Auguste Rodin who was involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital in the South of France by her brother (Jean-Luc Vincent) after developing schizophrenia. With Emmanuel Kauffman, Marion Keller and Robert Leroy. (In French with subtitles)

Haunter (PG-13 for brief profanity) Harrowing horror flick about a girl’s ghost (Abigail Breslin) attempt to warn another teenager (Eleanor Zichy) before she becomes a serial killer’s (Stephen McHattie) next victim. With David Hewlett, Sarah Manninen and Michelle Nolden.

I’m in Love with a Church Girl (Unrated) Ja Rule stars in this faith-based tale of redemption recounting former convict Galley Molina’s transformation from drug-dealing gangsta’ to Born Again pastor with the help of a good woman (Adrienne Bailon). Supporting cast includes Stephen Baldwin, Michael Madsen, Vincent Pastore and T-Bone. 

   

Kill Your Darlings (R for sexuality, profanity, drug use and brief violence) Murder mystery which draws together three legendary Beat Generation poets: Jack Kerouac (Jack Huston), William Burroughs (Ben Foster) and Allen Ginsberg (Daniel Radcliffe). With Elizabeth Olsen, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Kyra Sedgwick.

Paradise (PG-13 for sexuality, profanity, substance abuse and mature themes) Crisis in faith dramedy about a devout Christian (Julianne Hough) who publicly renounces God after being severely burned in a plane crash before heading to Las Vegas to indulge in worldly pleasures. With Russell Brand, Holly Hunter, Nick Offerman and Octavia Spencer.

You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet (Unrated) Otherworldly drama revolving around a deceased playwright (Denis Podalydes) who miraculously casts and stages one of his celebrated works from beyond the grave. Starring Mathieu Amalric, Pierre Arditi and Sabine Azema. (In French with subtitles)