Kam's Movie Kapsules for 7-3-15

OPENING THIS WEEK
Kam's Kapsules:           
Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun                 
by Kam Williams
For movies opening July 3, 2015
 
 
BIG BUDGET FILMS     

Faith of Our Fathers (PG-13 for brief violence) Christian-oriented drama about two strangers (Kevin Downes and David A.R. White) who bond while driving from Mississippi to Washington, DC with plans to locate where their killed-in-action dads' names were engraved in the Vietnam War Memorial. With Stephen Baldwin, Candace Cameron Bure and Rebecca St. James.

Magic Mike XXL (R for nudity, drug use, graphic sexuality and pervasive profanity) Channing Tatum reprises the title role in this titillating sequel which finds what's left of the Kings of Tampa reuniting to perform at the annual strippers convention in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Ensemble cast includes Jada Pinkett Smith, Adam Rodriguez, Amber Heard, Andie MacDowell, Stephen “tWitch” Boss, Michael Strahan and Gabriel Iglesias.

Terminator Genisys (PG-13 for intense violence, partial nudity and brief profanity) Reboot of the sci-fi franchise, set in 2029, finds John Connor (Jason Clarke) again leading the resistance in humanity's ongoing war with the cyborgs. Cast includes Arnold Schwarzenegger, JK Simmons, Emilia Clarke, Dayo Okeniyi, Matt Smith, Courtney B. Vance and Jai Courtney.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Amy (R for profanity and drug use) Bittersweet biopic revisiting the rise and fall of Grammy-winner Amy Winehouse who died of alcohol poising in 2011 at the age of 27. Featuring appearances by Tony Bennett, Mark Ronson and Mos Def.

Cartel Land (Unrated) Drug wars documentary chronicling the vigilante uprising led by a small-town physician trying to topple the cartel wreaking havoc on Michoacan, Mexico. (In English and Spanish with subtitles)

In Stereo (Unrated) Romantic dramedy about the on-again/off-again relationship of a couple of thirty-somethings (Beau Garrett and Micah Hauptman) who take forever to wake up and realize they were meant for each other. With Maggie Geha, Aimee Mullins and Mario Cantone.

Jackie & Ryan (PG-13 for suggestive material and brief profanity) Romance drama revolving around the unlikely love which blossoms between a train-hopping hobo (Ben Barnes) and a socialite (Katherine Heigl) embroiled in a nasty, child custody battle. Support cast includes Clea DuVall, Sheryl Lee and Nathan Stevens.

Jimmy's Hall (PG-13 for profanity and a scene of violence) Barry Ward plays the title character in this historical drama revolving around the return to Ireland in 1932 of Jimmy Gralton, a Communist organizer deported to the U.S. a decade earlier during the “Red Scare.” With Francis Magee, Aileen Henry and Simone Kirby.

Mala Mala (Unrated) Genderbending documentary celebrating the lives of nine members of Puerto Rico's transgender and drag queen communities. (In Spanish and English with subtitles)

Stray Dog (Unrated) Reverential biopic about Ron Hall, a biker with a heart of gold who has devoted his life to helping pet pooches, friends, family and fellow Vietnam vets.

Zarafa (Unrated) Animated adventure, set in the 19^th Century, about a 10 year-old runaway slave (Max Renaudin Pratt) who flees sub-Saharan Africa across the desert on the back of a giraffe before sailing to Paris with the help of a Greek princess-turned-pirate (Ronit Elkabetz). Voice cast includes Simon Abkarian, Roger Dumas and Mohamed Fellag. (In French with subtitles)