Kam's Movie Kapsules for 10-16-15

OPENING THIS WEEK

Kam's Kapsules:

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun

by Kam Williams

For movies opening October 16, 2015

BIG BUDGET FILMS

Bridge of Spies (PG-13 for violence and brief profanity) Cold War thriller about a lawyer (Tom Hanks) recruited by the CIA to represent an American spy (Austin Stowell) whose surveillance plane was shot down behind the Iron Curtain in 1960. With Amy Ryan, Alan Alda and Eve Hewson.

Crimson Peak (R for sexuality, graphic violence and brief profanity) Gothic horror film, set in England in the 19th Century, about a troubled author (Mia Wasikowska) who, after a whirlwind romance, marries an aristocrat (Tom Hiddleston) and moves into a haunted house he shares with his sister (Jessica Chastain). Cast includes Charlie Hunnam, Jim Beaver and Doug Jones.

Goosebumps (PG for scary images, intense action and rude humor) Kiddie-oriented horror fare adapted from the R.L. Stine children's book series and revolving around a couple of teenagers (Dylan Minnette and Ryan Lee) who unwittingly unleash monsters which were the product of Stine's (Jack Black) fertile imagination. With Amy Ryan, Halston Sage and Odeya Rush.

Room (R for profanity) Adaptation of the Emma Donoghue best seller of the same name about the harrowing ordeal of a young woman (Brie Larson) and the son (Jacob Tremblay) she bore while imprisoned as a sex slave in her kidnapper's (Sean Bridgers) backyard shed. Support cast includes William H. Macy, Joan Allen and Amanda Brugel.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

All Things Must Change (Unrated) Music biz documentary revisiting the rise and demise of Tower Records. Featuring commentary by Chris Cornell, Chuck D., Elton John and David Geffen.

A Ballerina's Tale (Unrated) Reverential biopic chronicling the ascension of Misty Copeland from humble rootsin California to prima ballerina in Manhattan with the American Ballet Theatre company. Including commentary by Deirdre Kelly, Susan Fales-Hill and Gilda Squire.

Experimenter (PG-13 for mature themes and brief profanity) Peter Sarsgaard portrays Stanley Milgram in this biopic about the legendary social scientist's famous study of humans' willingness to obey authority. Ensemble cast includes Winona Ryder, Dennis Haysbert, Jim Gaffigan, Kellan Lutz, John Leguizamo and Vondie Curtis-Hall.

Meadowland (R for profanity, drug use and graphic sexuality) Marriage on the rocks saga, set in New York City, examining the emotional rift which develops between a cop (Luke Wilson) and his wife (Olivia Wilde) in the wake of their young son's mysterious disappearance. With Giovanni Ribisi, Juno Temple and John Leguizamo.

Tab Hunter Confidential (Unrated) Out-of-the-closet biopic recounting how the Fifties matinee idol hid his homosexuality until finally publishing a tell-all autobiography a half-century after his heyday. Featuring commentary by Clint Eastwood, Debbie Reynolds and Connie Stevens.

This Changes Everything (Unrated) Global warming documentary examining the effect of climate change in seven locales around the world, including communities in America, India, China, Canada and Germany.

Truth (R for profanity and a nude photo) Broadcast ethics is the theme of this thriller about the news story awhich cost CBS ' Dan Rather (Robert Redford) his career. With Cate Blanchett, Topher Grace, Dennis Quaid and Bruce Greenwood.

Woodlawn (PG for mature themes and racial tensions) Fact-based, coming-of-age saga, set in 1973, recalling how a black football star (Caleb Castille) and his white football coach (Nicholas Bishop) joined forces to alleviate tensions across the color line at a Birmingham, Alabama high school. Featuring Jon Voight, Sean Astin and Sherri Shepherd.