Kam's Movie Kapsules for 5-22-15

OPENING THIS WEEK

Kam's Kapsules:      

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun         

by Kam Williams

For movies opening May 22, 2015

BIG BUDGET FILMS   

Chocolate City (R for profanity, brief violence, partial nudity and pervasive sexuality) Inner-city saga about a cash-strapped college student (Robert Ri’chard) who moonlights as a stripper at a neighborhood nightclub on ladies’ night. Ensemble cast includes Vivica A. Fox, Tyson Beckford, DeRay Davis, Carmen Electra, Ginuwine and Michael Jai White. 

Poltergeist (PG-13 for intense horror fare, mild profanity and suggestive material) Remake of the 1982, haunted house horror classic about the abduction of a little girl (Kennedi Clements) whose family is being terrorized by malevolent spirits. Starring Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt and Jarred Harris.

Tomorrowland (PG for brief profanity, mature themes, action, violence and scenes of peril) Sci-fi adventure about a precocious teen (Britt Robertson) and a jaded genius (George Clooney) who embark on a dangerous mission to a faraway place in another dimension. With Hugh Laurie, Kathryn Hahn, Keegan-Michael Key and Tim McGraw.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS 

Aloft (R for profanity and sexuality) Tale of redemption about a journalist (Melanie Laurent) who orchestrates the reunion of a renowned artist/healer (Jennifer Connelly) with the son (Cillian Murphy) she’d abandoned 20 years earlier. Support cast includes Oona Chaplin, Ian Tracey and Peter McRobbie.

(Dis)Honesty (Unrated) Truth-telling is the subject of this documentary exploring the toll that lying takes on us, both individually and collectively, as a society.

The Farewell Party (Unrated) Dark comedy, set in Jerusalem, revolving around the compassionate friends of a terminally-ill retiree (Shmuel Wolf) who build a self-euthanasia machine for him and other residents of their old folks home. With Ze’ev Revach, Levan Finkelshtein and Ruth Geller. (In Hebrew with subtitles)

Gueros (Unrated) Social satire about a troubled teen (Sebastian Aguirre) sent by his overwhelmed mother to live with his big brother (Tenoch Huerta) attending college in Mexico City. Featuring Ilse Salas, Leonardo Ortiz Gris and Raul Briones. (In Spanish with subtitles)

Love at First Fight (Unrated) Romantic romp revolving around a conventional carpenter (Kevin Azais) who falls head-over-heels for a paranoid survivalist (Adele Haenel) preparing for Armageddon. With Antoine Laurent, Brigitte Rouan and William Lebghil. (In French with subtitles)

The Rumperbutts (Unrated) Marital crisis comedy about a miserable couple (Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel) whose relationship is on the rocks despite sharing phenomenal success performing as a musical duo on a children’s TV show. Support cast includes Josh Brener, Vanessa Ray and Arian Moayed. 

Seeds of Time (Unrated) Eco-documentary chronicling conservationist Cary Fowler’s campaign to protect the eroding foundation of humanity’s food supply in the face of rapid climate change.

Sunshine Superman (PG for mature themes, smoking, brief profanity and a nude image) Breathtaking biopic chronicling the exploits of thrill-seeker Carl Boenish (1941-1984), the late freefall cinematographer generally recognized as the father of the B.A.S.E. (Building/Antenna/Span/Earth) jumping movement.

When Marnie Was There (PG for smoking and mature themes) Animated adaptation of Joan G. Robinson’s children’s novel of the same name about a sickly foster child (Sara Takasuki) sent to the seacoast to recuperate who finds herself befriended by a mysterious girl (Kasumi Arimura) she meets while wading in the marshes. Voice cast includes Nanako Matsushima, Susumu Terajima and Toshie Negishi. (In Japanese with subtitles)

Winning (Unrated) High-octane documentary revisiting Paul Newman’s 35-year career as a racecar driver. Featuring commentary by Jay Leno, Robert Redford, Mario Andretti and Willy T. Ribbs.