Kam's Movies Kapsules for 10-2-15

OPENING THIS WEEK

Kam's Kapsules:

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun

by Kam Williams

For movies opening October 2, 2015

BIG BUDGET FILMS

He Named Me Malala (PG-13 for threats, mature themes and disturbing images) Oscar-winner Davis Guggenheim directed this inspirational biopic about Nobel Peace Prize-winner Malala Yousafzai, the Pakastani teenager shot in the face by the Taliban for being an outspoken advocate of education and equal rights for girls.

Legend (R for pervasive profanity, graphic violence, sexuality and drug use) Mob saga revisiting the exploits of Reggie and Ronnie Kray (Tom Hardy), infamous identical twins who ran a powerful crime syndicate in London in the Sixties. Supporting cast includes Emily Browning, Paul Bettany and Chazz Palminteri.

The Martian (PG-13 for profanity, injury images and brief profanity) Adaptation of Andy Weir's sci-fi thriller of the same name about an astronaut's (Matt Damon) struggle to survive on Mars after being presumed dead and left behind on the planet by fellow crew members. A-list ensemble includes Oscar-nominees Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig and Chiwetel Ejiofor, along with Jeff Daniels, Kate Mara, Michael Pena, and Donald Glover.

The Walk (PG for mature themes, peril, brief nudity, drug references, smoking and mild epithets) Historical drama, set in Manhattan in 1974, recreating daredevil Phillippe Petit's (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) high-wire walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. With Ben Kingsley, Charlotte Le Bon, Ben Schwartz and James Badge Dale.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Addicted to Fresno (Unrated) Dysfunctional siblings comedy revovling around a lesbian (Natasha Lyonne) working as a maid in a hotel where her sex-addicted sister (Judy Greer) just out of rehab accidentally kills a guest during a passionate relapse. With Aubrey Plaza, Clea Duvall, Fred Armisen and Molly Shannon.

Brand: A Second Coming (Unrated) Warts-and-all biopic about iconoclastic actor/comedian Russell Brand, following the British bad boy as he dives headlong into drugs, sex and fame in an attempt to find happiness, only to realize we have all been nurtured on bad ideas and empty celebrity idols.

Freeheld (PG-13 for profanity, sexuality and mature themes) Gay rights docudrama inspired by the Oscar-winning documentary of the same name chronicling the struggle of a terminally-ill, NJ police lieutenant (Julianne Moore) to secure pension benefits for her lesbian life partner (Ellen Page). With Steve Carell, Michael Shannon and Josh Charles.

Gravy (Unrated) Horror comedy about a trio of costumed misfits who seize control of a Mexican restaurant before forcing the staff to consume some unusual cuisine and libations. Featuring James Roday, Dule' Hill, Lily Cole, Gabourey Sidibe, Sarah Silverman, Sutton Foster and Paul Rodriguez

Northern Soul (Unrated) Musical drama, set in 1974, about a couple of young British BFFs (Josh Whitehouse and Eliot James Langridge) whose horizons are widened by the discovery of American soul music. Support cast includes Emily Aston, James Rhodes-Baxter and Dylan Brown.

Partisan (Unrated) Suspense thriller, set in a utopian commune isolated from society, where an 11 year-old boy (Jeremy Chabriel) meets resistance when starts to question the motives of the cult's domineering leader (Vincent Cassel). With Nigel Barber, Florence Mezzara and Timothy Styles.

Shanghai (R for graphic violence, drug use and brief profanity) Suspense drama, set in 1941, about an American who falls in love and uncovers a political conspiracy when he ventures to occupied Shanghai to investigate the mysterious death of a friend. With Gong Li, Chow Yun Fat, Franka Potente, Ken Watanabe and David Morse. (In English, Mandarin, Japanese and German with subtitles)

Shout Gladi Gladi (Unrated) Medical care documentary, narrated by Meryl Streep, celebrating the efforts of altruistic nurse-turned-peripatetic philanthropist Ann Gloag dedicated to healing African women suffering from obstetric fistulas.

Sicario (R for profanity, graphic violence and grisly images) Crime thriller revolving around an idealistic FBI Agent (Emily Blunt) enlisted by a federal task force to fight the war on drugs along the Mexican border. With Benicio Del Toro, Josh Brolin and Jon Bernthal. (In English and Spanish with subtitles)

Taxi (Unrated) Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi masqueraded as a cabbie to shoot this picture highlighting a day in the life of a typical taxi driver in Teheran. (In Persian with subtitles)