Kam's Movie Kapsules for 1-2-15

OPENING THIS WEEK

Kam's Kapsules:      

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun         

by Kam Williams

For movies opening January 2, 2015

BIG BUDGET FILMS   

The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death (PG-13 for disturbing images and mature themes) Haunted house sequel, set in the English countryside during World War II, where a group of children evacuated from London unwittingly unleash a demonic force. Ensemble cast includes Phoebe Fox, Helen McCrory, Jeremy Irvine, Leanne Best and Adrian Rawlins.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS 

Leviathan (R for profanity, sexuality and nudity) Legal drama about a humble family man (Aleksey Serebryakov) who retains the services of an attorney (Vladimir Vdovichenkov) to prevent his seaside home with a view from being seized for a pittance through eminent domain by a corrupt mayor (Roman Madyanov). Support cast includes Elena Lyadova, Anna Ukolova and Sergey Pokhodaev. (In Russian with subtitles)

A Most Violent Year (R for profanity and some violence) American Dream drama, set in NYC in 1981, revolving around the efforts of an immigrant couple (Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac) to make it in the corrupt, oil delivery business during one of the most dangerous periods in the history of the city. Cast includes David Oyelowo, Albert Brooks and Alessandro Nivola. (In English and Spanish with subtitles)

[REC] 4: Apocalypse (R for profanity, gore and graphic violence) Fourth and final installment of the horror franchise finds soldiers rescuing a television reporter (Manuela Velasco) unaware that she’s infected with a demonic virus. With Javier Botet, Paco Manzanedo and Maria Alfonsa Rosso. (In Spanish with subtitles)

The Search for General Tso (Unrated) Foodie documentary exploring both who was General Tso and the derivation of the sweet and spicy fried dish that has become so popular with the American palette. (In English and Mandarin with subtitles)

The Taking of Tiger Mountain (Unrated) Adaptation of the Qu Bo novel of the same name about an intrepid captain (Gengxin Lin) who leads a liberation army to recapture a mountain fortress from a ruthless bandit (Tony Leung). With Liya Tong and Hanyu Zhang. (In Mandarin with subtitles)